As part of the partnership between the Portuguese Diaspora Council and Jornal de Negócios, Daniel Guedelha, Founder and CEO of GenH and Board Member of the Portuguese Diaspora Council was interviewed by Jornal de Negócios. In the interview, Daniel Guedelha discussed his professional journey and identified competitive opportunities for Portugal, its economy, companies, and entrepreneurs in general.

1 – WHAT LED YOU TO LEAVE PORTUGAL?

I’d like to start by saying that I love Portugal and have always been deeply curious about the world. I left Portugal by choice — because I wanted to. I had several job opportunities in my home country, but I felt the need to explore new societies, new cultures, and to understand how a large pharmaceutical company operates on a global scale. It was this restlessness and desire to learn that led me to leave Portugal and take on the challenge of working at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Novartis.

2 – WHAT ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES HAS THE FACT THAT YOU ARE PORTUGUESE BROUGHT YOU?

Many people talk about our ability to “desenrascar” — to find a way, to do a lot with very little. I see that as a true sign of innovation. Whenever I compare Portuguese culture with others I’ve come to know over the years, I realize that this ability to think creatively and approach challenges from a different angle is one of our greatest strengths.

That said, living abroad isn’t easy. The longing for family, friends, our culture, the familiar smells and food — it hits harder and more often than one might expect. And yes, we are immigrants. Over the past 16 years, I’ve had to work about 1.5 times harder than my Swiss, German, or French colleagues. That’s simply the reality I encountered. Nothing was handed to me.

But I never allowed that to hold me back. If there’s one thing that defines me — and which I believe is essential for anyone who chooses this path — it’s focus, determination, and the will to keep moving forward.

3 – WHAT OBSTACLES DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME AND HOW DID YOU DO IT?

In the beginning, the challenges are mostly logistical — and they can take up a lot of energy and time. I’m talking about simple but essential things, like finding a place to live, sorting out health insurance, and, when you have a family, making sure your children have access to a good school and helping your partner feel comfortable in the new country. I’ve been through all of that.

But for me, beyond the language barrier, the biggest challenge is always cultural adaptation. Although I identify strongly with Swiss organization, professionalism, dedication, and punctuality, there’s always a need to adjust. These are often small differences, but they require openness, patience, and, above all, a willingness to learn and grow.

4 – WHAT DO YOU MOST ADMIRE ABOUT THE COUNTRY YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN?

I’ve been living in Switzerland for over 16 years, and I have great respect and admiration for this country. My career has developed mainly in the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry, and Switzerland strikes a unique balance between a strong industrial backbone and breathtaking natural landscapes.

I deeply admire the precision and focus on quality — traits that are deeply rooted in Swiss culture. But what impresses me most is the ability to build bridges. We often see Switzerland as a neutral country, but the Swiss are, above all, exceptional negotiators. They have a very clear strategic vision, they make things happen, and they know how to select top talent from around the world to work in their companies.

In fact, much of the intellectual power and workforce in Swiss companies comes from immigrants. And that’s no coincidence — they actively choose who they want by their side. This ability to attract and integrate talent is something I truly admire.

5 – WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT THE COMPANY / ORGANIZATION YOU ARE IN?

I spent nearly 16 years of my career at Novartis, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. It was an extraordinary experience, where I had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds across a variety of fields. I was always impressed by Novartis’s ability to attract and develop such exceptional talent. It’s a highly competitive company, with a performance- and results-driven culture, very much in line with large Anglo-Saxon organizations.

Today, I’m the CEO of GenH (Generation Health), also based in Switzerland, and I carry with me many of the lessons from that journey — applying them now as we build something new, with the same passion and ambition. Our goal is to look at healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry in particular, through a fresh and different lens — combining the energy of start-ups with the discipline and rigor of large pharmaceutical companies.

6 – WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR PORTUGAL, ITS ENTREPRENEURS AND MANAGERS?

Before offering recommendations, I want to take responsibility. Because more than saying what should be done, what truly matters is showing what I’m already doing to contribute to Portugal. And yes, it’s absolutely possible to make a difference even while living abroad.

I’ve been leading several executive training programs in Portugal in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, helping prepare leaders for the challenges of the industry. I’ve been building bridges between Portuguese talent in Switzerland and in Portugal — in both directions — creating value, jobs, and opportunities. I’ve also been connecting Swiss and Portuguese institutions to strengthen the economies of both countries. I raise my hand, I take that responsibility, and I want to keep doing it.

As for recommendations, I believe we need to collaborate more. In Portugal, there’s still a tendency to build silos — what we often call “quintinhas.” We need to build together. If someone is doing something well, we should support them rather than criticize. And there’s one point I want to make very clear: success is a good thing. We need to celebrate the achievements of Portuguese people — both at home and abroad. We have to change our mindset around this. Success is inspiring, and it should be seen as a way to open doors for others to succeed too.

7 – IN WHICH SECTORS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU LIVE CAN PORTUGUESE COMPANIES FIND CUSTOMERS?

Healthcare — and the pharmaceutical industry in particular — is one of those sectors. It’s an area I know in depth, and I see enormous potential for Portuguese companies. We already have several excellent companies operating in this space, and many with Portuguese DNA are now exploring opportunities in Switzerland.

But beyond just acquiring clients, there’s a unique opportunity to add value through talent. We have absolutely phenomenal Portuguese professionals working in this industry — in Switzerland alone, there are easily over a thousand highly qualified experts in this field. Portuguese companies can not only offer services and products, but also tap into this talent network to grow. And as they grow, their client base naturally expands with them.

8 – IN WHICH SECTORS IN PORTUGAL COULD COMPANIES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU ARE WANT TO INVEST?

I’ll continue to focus on the healthcare space and the pharmaceutical cluster — because that movement is already underway. Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Novartis and Roche, both of which are headquartered in Switzerland, also have operations in Portugal.

However, there’s still room to move further up the value chain. We’re already seeing some pharmaceutical companies investing in Centers of Excellence in Portugal, but there’s significant untapped potential to expand this effort — particularly through the creation of R&D centers and the production of advanced technologies, such as monoclonal antibodies. We’re beginning to see steps in that direction, and for me, this is an absolutely essential area.

Continuing to invest in Research & Development — both in the preclinical and clinical phases (for example, through more clinical trials conducted in Portugal) — is a highly strategic move. We have the talent, the expertise, and the right conditions to attract greater investment and establish Portugal as a key player in this field. In fact, we’re already seeing signs of this, with many start-ups choosing Portugal as a base for their activities.

9 – WHAT IS THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN THAT COULD BE REPLICATED IN PORTUGAL?

I could list many advantages — a solid financial system, a highly efficient and punctual transport network (especially the trains), a peaceful environment, or an impressive capacity for innovation and technological infrastructure that surpasses that of several European countries.

But there’s one aspect I want to highlight above all: the people. Switzerland has an extraordinary ability to attract the best talent from around the world and integrate them into its workforce, with meritocracy playing a key role in that process. This openness to dialogue and ability to attract talent is, in my opinion, what makes Switzerland the economic powerhouse it is today.

If there’s one thing Portugal can — and should — replicate, it’s this mindset. Creating an environment where the best people want to be, work, and grow with us makes all the difference.

10 – ARE YOU THINKING OF RETURNING TO PORTUGAL? WHY?

This entire international journey — which has involved many sacrifices — has always had a very clear goal: to contribute to Portugal. I use the word “contribute” because I truly believe we can have a huge impact on our country even while living abroad. In many cases, that impact can be even greater.

That said, in a few years, I hope to return to Portugal permanently. I will continue to take responsibility and contribute intensively, and I hope increasingly so. And one day I will come back, because I want to continue this journey up close, here in our country.