For this “Challengers in Lisbon” post, we interviewed Afonso Taínha, the founder of Parcelmix, a logistic gateway for online shops guaranteeing the best price regardless of the carrier.
Pitch your company in 3 - 4 sentences
Parcelmix is a logistic gateway for e-commerce shops. It lets you connects to several carriers around the world, and obtain the best price for your costumer in your shops. it is a booking.com for but for courier companies.
What does your company stand for in terms of values and goals?
We want to be the number one logistic gateway way for e commerce shops.
What does your company not stand for?
We don’t stand for high prices and slow deliveries
Can you tell us three of your favourite places around Lisbon?
- Baixa area
- Castle S.Jorge
- Riverside - Cais Sodre - Belem
Office or open space?
Open space
What are the three ways companies should change?
They should be more open and transparent, that’s the main thing; have a better client awareness and support; and Portuguese companies should think big. We are a very small country and we always look to Portugal as the market. But no, lets look global. even if we don’t get there, we have Europe. We need to expand beyond.
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
My first experience as an employee was very bad. I didn’t get paid. So I left the office and created my own company. Since then I have always been an entrepreneur. I’ve only been an employee for three years, and I didn’t like it.
If you were not an entrepreneur, what would you be?
Hard question. I would like to help other companies grow successful. Like a mentor.
What advice do you give to future participants of Lisbon Challenge?
Come to Lisbon Challenge with an open mind and lot of energy. Enjoy the time you are here with the other startups, drinking, networking, working, whatever, just enjoy, be here with your heart and soul and take advantage of everything.
What was the most important thing you got out of Lisbon Challenge?
Networking with other startups, and not only as business, as a friends and personal contacts. I learnt a lot, and my company grew a lot.
What music do you listen to when you are working?
Classical music