Head of Innovation, Investment and Strategic Planning Division, Municipality of Fundão
Ricardo Gonçalves is an accomplished expert in innovation ecosystems, strategic planning, and investment management with over 13 years of experience working with municipalities, businesses, and international networks. Currently serving as the Head of Innovation, Investment, and Strategic Planning Division for the Municipality of Fundão, Ricardo has been instrumental in developing and managing key infrastructures such as the Business Center, Incubator, Fab Lab, IoT Agrotech Center, Advanced Training Center, and Welcome Center for Technological Companies. His role involves coordinating national and international projects, managing Portugal 2020 programs, and fostering investment, job creation, and talent retention.
Ricardo has also held leadership roles, including Coordinator of the Innovation and Investment Office and Chief of Staff to the City of Fundão, where he contributed to the municipality’s innovation strategy, founded the Living Lab Cova da Beira, and supported the creation of coworking spaces, startup incubators, and training centers. His work emphasises scouting investment opportunities and driving collaborative projects to enhance regional development.
Additionally, Ricardo is a Partner and Location Adviser at Letsgo-On, a non-profit focused on shared services and outsourcing operations, offering expertise in location scouting, legal frameworks, talent acquisition, and IT infrastructure. Earlier in his career, Ricardo provided legal expertise in urban planning and HR for the Municipality of Leiria and the University of Coimbra.
Ricardo’s career reflects a strong commitment to innovation, regional development, and collaborative growth across diverse sectors.