Transfergest wants to be the main technological partner of tourism companies. Who says so is Carina Miguel, CEO of the startup, who confesses to being inspired by “Mr Rui Nabeiro, from the Delta Group”, a man she classifies as “one of the greatest entrepreneurs ever in our country”.
What is your name?
Carina Miguel.
What does your startup do?
Transfergest is an innovative platform that digitalises and automates business processes, contributing to the productivity of transfer and tourist transport companies. The solution integrates commercial and financial management software and an offer aggregator – B2B marketplace. The ultimate goal is to facilitate operations and boost the commercial success and sustainability of companies in the sector.
In summary mode: when, how and why was your company born?
Transfergest began to be developed in mid-2017, at the request of tourist transport companies that needed tools that would facilitate operational, commercial and financial management to address the main challenges of their business. That is difficulties in managing bookings and assigning services to drivers, loss of operational information with implications on customer (tourist) satisfaction and lack of integration of commercial management (bookings) with financial movements between the different agents involved.
How is your startup changing the Tourism sector?
Through Transfergest, we intend to continue the path of technological innovation to contribute to the digitalisation of management processes and operations of tourist transport companies. Our objective is quite clear: we intend to be the technological partner of these companies so that, together, we can contribute not only to accelerating the recovery of the tourism sector, one of the most affected by the pandemic crisis that is crossing the world but also to increase the competitive power of these companies in terms of service offer.
Have you already paid your salary?
Our team consists of 6 elements, we are looking for investment, to continue to develop the project.
What would you say to the CEO of the competition if you bumped into him in the corridor?
Shall we work together?
How many hours do you work a day?
There are 24 hours in a day, right? Sometimes 26h!
What did you stop doing to be a successful entrepreneur?
I have often stopped having time to “live”. You live according to the project.
What have you changed to be a successful entrepreneur?
I do not know how to answer this question, but I can say that to be successful, the team has to live the project, to be part of it, that is the only way to be successful and of course, your solution has to make sense for the market.
Which entrepreneur or company has most inspired you in Portugal?
I have a few, but I would highlight Mr Rui Nabeiro, from Delta Group. I think he is undoubtedly one of the greatest entrepreneurs ever in our country. His emotional side and the way he works with his team and employees are undoubtedly an inspiration.
And outside?
I would highlight Henry Ford, not only as an entrepreneur and inventor but also as a writer and thinker – “Don’t find a fault, find a solution”.
If you were the boss of a big company, what would you tell yourself to convince you to work at that company instead of a startup?
Probably the “big company” was once a startup back there. And you would probably feel the need to embrace other projects.
In one sentence, what would you say – really – in a lift to convince someone to invest in your company?
“Good morning me and my team want to work with you, with our project Transfergest, management software for Tourist Transport companies, in which we have already helped transport around 600,000 passengers by 2021. Shall we travel together?”
How do you take stock so far of your journey in this business?
Although, in recent years, the sector to which we respond has and is still going through an extremely complicated period of adaptation, our resilience proves that we are on the right track.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Continuing to move with passion in what I do, but also having time to live.
Tell me one thing that is indispensable for you.
To feel motivated in what I do.
And one thing you can’t tolerate?
I can’t tolerate so many things, but I would highlight the lack of responsibility.