About
Ricardo Pires leads Portuguese investment holding company Semapa and chairs Semapa Next, bringing experience in corporate strategy, M&A and venture investing.
CEO, Semapa
Ricardo Pires leads Semapa, a Portuguese investment holding company, and chairs its European venture platform, Semapa Next. He joined Semapa in a strategic-planning and new-business role in 2008, later became an executive director responsible for new business and M&A, and took over as CEO in January 2022. His leadership mandate was renewed for the 2025–2027 term.
Pires previously served as CEO of Semapa Next, which invests in European companies at Series A across sectors. His background connects corporate finance and industrial diversification with early-stage investing and portfolio governance. Semapa Next’s portfolio spans fields including climate technology, AI and cybersecurity.
Experience Ricardo brings to founders
- Corporate finance
- M&A
- Series A investing
- Portfolio governance
- Industrial diversification
Operating and investing experience
A selection of companies and roles connected to Ricardo Pires.
Ventures
Semapa
CEO
Semapa Next
Chairman
Highlights
- Became Semapa CEO in January 2022.
- Was reappointed to lead Semapa for the 2025–2027 term.
- Previously served as CEO of Semapa Next.
Questionsfounders ask aboutRicardo Pires
Who is Ricardo Pires?
Ricardo Pires leads Portuguese investment holding company Semapa and chairs Semapa Next, bringing experience in corporate strategy, M&A and venture investing.
What experience does Ricardo Pires bring to mentoring?
Their experience spans corporate finance, M&A, series A investing, portfolio governance and industrial diversification.
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