Episode 11 | DEALS com Gonçalo Almeida – history of Gonçalo and Harbor Partners
- Harbor Partners
- Sep 9, 2025
- 2 min read
We turn the tables. This time, the conversation is led by João Diogo Vieira, Director of M&A at Harbor Partners, and the guest is our usual host: Gonçalo Almeida. As Managing Partner of Harbor Partners, Gonçalo is one of the most strategic figures in real estate investment and M&A in Portugal, with a track record of over €100 million in transactions and a unique positioning at the crossroads of commercial real estate and the corporate world.
In this episode, we dive into his personal and professional journey: who Gonçalo was before founding Harbor, what first attracted him to the world of business, and how he became a trusted reference for funds, institutions, and high-net-worth investors looking to operate or grow in Portugal.
We talk about the moments that shaped his vision, from his early industry experiences to the creation of Harbor, and how the idea of building a hybrid and highly personalized consultancy first came about. Gonçalo shares the meaning behind the company’s name, the values that guide it, and the turning point when he realized that “this could really work.”
We also discuss the challenges and pivotal decisions, the first clients, the tough days, and the milestones that helped cement Harbor’s market position. We then move to the future vision: building a group of companies, the goals that drive him today, and the personal mission that inspires him as a founder.
To wrap up, Gonçalo reflects on what he would tell his younger self, the lessons learned along the way, and the ultimate message he wants to leave with those following his journey.
An intimate, direct, and insight-rich episode on leadership, strategy, and value creation, for anyone who wants to understand what lies behind a top-tier consultancy and what it takes to turn it into a true reference.
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🎧 In this episode we cover:
00:00 – From the beginning: Gonçalo’s story
10:00 – Harbor Partners: the birth
14:00 – Harbor Partners’ niche
24:00 – What helped Gonçalo in business
36:00 – The identity of Harbor Partners
42:00 – A difficult moment for Harbor
50:00 – Key milestones at Harbor
01:00:00 – Building relationships and creating value
01:07:00 – What sets Harbor apart now and in the future
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📱Follow us:
Gonçalo Almeida
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gon%C3%A7aloalmeida/
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goncalombalmeida/
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goncaloalmeidadeals/
🔗 Twitter/X: https://x.com/goncalomalmeida
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goncalombalmeida
Harbor Partners
🔗 LinkedIn: https://pt.linkedin.com/company/harborpartners
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harborpartners/
🔗 Twitter/X: https://x.com/Harbor_Partners
🔗 Website: www.harborpartners.pt
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🎥 This episode was recorded by ID Studios.
⚠️ All rights reserved to Harbor Partners.
Guests participated with full knowledge and explicit consent for the recording and distribution of this interview. Unauthorized reproduction, editing, or use of this content is strictly prohibited.
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