Miguel introduces himself and his startup idea, UniPlaces, which aims to become the dominant property portal for student accommodation in university cities across Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. The founding team is international, ambitious, and diverse. They have developed a prototype and plan to use a lean startup model. Their vision is to build a strong brand in university communities with a strong technological platform while raising quality and safety standards. Their biggest challenges will be financing, expanding operations, and marketing across international markets.

1. Thanks. But who am I?
Miguel…

16. Equipa > Ideia(s) > Startup
Portugal à América do Sul
8

17. UniPlaces will become the dominant property portal for
accommodation in university cities.

18. Our vision involves building a strong brand in the university communities
together with a strong technological platform, whilst raising quality & safety
standards in all markets we operate in.

19. Founding Team
Ambitious. International. Diverse.
Miguel Santo Amaro Mariano Kostelec Leo Lara Ben Grech
(PT) (ARG) (ES) (ENG)
International team with strong technical and commercial experience
Fluent in 5 languages, work experience with leading firms in Europe, Asia & North America, exceptional educational history

21. Prototype
Value for all users – Lean Startup Model
Students
Property
Managers
Universities

22. Solution
Real search. Scalability.
Students
Property
Managers
Universities

23. Technology
Search accommodation near your university or faculty

24. International Markets &
Expansion
Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Argentina
11.2m
Students in our target markets
23%+
Students seek privately rented
accommodation
265k+
Intl. students, quickly growing
610k+
Student homes

25. Future Growth
Adjacent opportunities
Selling synergistic products & services
Transaction commissions

26. Bootstrapping (Lean) Closing seed
Round $$$
25 exclusive
partnerships
Launched
new platform
Established in-house
product development team
South American
launch in Chile
Gained over 4,500
property listings
Proof of concept revenue
from early users
November Now

28. The Vision
International. Ambitious

29. Business Plan
The Template: www.sequoiacap.com/ideas
A lot of precise info. Few words. 15-20 slides.

30. Business Plan
But…

31. Biggest Challenge?
Financing. Recruiting. Expanding. Business. Tech. Marketing. Pricing / Rev. Location. Funding

32. Location
Does it matter?

33. Why starting in Lisbon?
The most common question among VCs, friends, employees, etc.
Why not?

34. Starting your own business
or
joining an established company?

35. Is it a good idea?

36. 1. +$1 billion addressable market
2. Valid business model
3. <$2 million in seed / $15 million series A
4. Top player: geography, segment.
5. Scalable
6. No risk of disintermediation
7. Rapid growth market
8. You know how to execute
9. An idea that I like and want to do

37. Bootstrapping
Competitions

38. Raising
Too many myths.
Exclusivity
Are there business angels in Portugal?
BA / VC / PE Is it the right time?
Smart Money
Location? International? Syndicated Investment
54
“En'dades
Veículo”:
€42
million.
SA or LDA Term Sheets Leaver Clause
Shareholders Agreement
QREN?
Valuation?
Reverse Vesting LOI Preference Stock
Speak to them all at once? Should I approach them?

40. The Nine Stepts to the Epiphany
1. Team
2. Market
3. Prototype
4. Full-­‐'me
5. Advisory
Board
6. Iterate
(Be
humble.
Listen
to
the
market)
7. Prove
the
model
8. Scale
9. Enjoy
the
ride.
It
should
be
fun!

41. Read!
Free advice.
6

42. Startup Heroes
Celebrate Success. Role models in Portugal.
6

44. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin
it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
-Goethe
miguel.santo.amaro