Our CTO and Founder, Martinho Santos, Shares his Top Multitasking Tips!

So you're wondering who this guy is? Well, he usually goes by Martinho and is largely to blame for Particle Forward's existence. He has allegedly worked in IT since graduation (~12 years) and has taken on different roles in different countries. He's got a knack for sports and swears he's got a university rugby 7's trophy lying around somewhere. Most of all, he doesn't back down from a challenge and gets stuff done (after coffee).

He's a bit of a dreamer (or lunatic, time will tell) and keeps pestering everyone with his megalomaniac plans to change the world. Keep reading to know a bit more!

Martinho in one of his famous thinking moments where he’s going to ask his team a really deep and difficult question to think about.

Why did you join Particle Forward and what has kept you there?

I created Particle with the neverending goal of bringing transformational projects to life. Seeing our team grow and grow couldn’t be more exciting, and it’ll only get better as we fly higher and higher!\

What are the unique challenges of your role and how do you overcome them?

Overseeing work without micromanaging staff is a challenge, especially in the launch phase, as emotions run high. The excitement of expanding our client base and the desire for perfect outcomes can be counterproductive if not properly managed. I’m super lucky to be surrounded by a team of great professionals I can rely on!

Unpredictability is definitely high on my list too! New ideas are inherently risky and doubt has crept in on quiet days and nights... Learning to deal with negative emotions and having a supportive co-founder was essential to me. Thankfully, the most unforeseen adaptation was having to cancel my summer plans when we suddenly got 3 new projects!

What is your most memorable moment at Particle Forward?

Ufff, it’s impossible to choose just one.

From hiring our first staff members, to signing the first client project and launching our own product for the first time, there’s been many memorable moments and many more will come soon!

In one of Particle Forward events Maritnho showcased his axe throwing skills - all this is practice for the performance review meetings.

How do you spend your time out of work hours?

I used to be into contact sports like Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Rugby, but with the whole COVID situation, I turned to less contact-y things. Running and gym are now my go-to stress relievers, but I do try to make time for painting and the occasional poetry night.

When are you happiest?

When creating things, no doubt whatsoever. Painting, pottery, and even cooking are all great, but a meaningful programming project is a thing I love the most. The idea of large-scale work and improving the life of an infinite number of people is the best feeling ever.

This is why I created the company: to reach audiences at scale! As the saying goes: “if you wanna go fast, go alone - but if you wanna go far, go together”.

What are your top 3 life highlights?

This is a hard one, I think the best moments are still to come.

Looking back, I’m still proud of leading my University’s team to win Portugal’s Rugby 7’s university championship twice in a row, with only draws and victories!

One of my fondest memories is a trip to Edinburgh a few years later: I was walking up to the castle and suddenly hearing someone call out “Hey, Captain, what are you doing here?”- turns out an old team member had planned the same trip! Beers and remembrance followed.

I’m happy with my life’s journey so far; living in other countries from a young age has certainly broadened my horizons and made me who I am.

Last but not least is starting Particle. The projects we’ll create will dwarf all other achievements.

One of Martinho’s three sidekicks, Chaos

If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?

I’m a huge fan of Socratic questioning so I’d definitely choose to be Plato! Witnessing Sokrates’s rise and being part of his dialogues would’ve been amazing!

If you could witness an historical event live, what would it be?

Definitely the moment before the Big Bang - it’d answer one of our big questions aaand lead to bigger ones! But hey, it still counts (let’s ignore the impossibility of observing all mass in the known universe being condensed to a silly-small space & of course the actual bang bit).

What are the 3 most overused phrases at the moment? (i.e. not useful/worthwhile?)

“Think outside the box” - Innovation is essential but there is a reason boxes exist. For Outside the Box thinking to be meaningful, the box must be well known and well explored.

“Artificial Intelligence” - Not everything is AI nor should everything be or have it.

“Game changer” - Overused by non-game-changers.

Get to know Martinho and his peers at Particle Forward!

We are proud to have Martinho as our heart and brain at Particle Forward, as he not only leads the team to reach the beyond but also makes Particle a great place for every team member to grow. Come say hi to him and the team - we are excited to meet you!