About
João Abrantes trained in bioengineering before completing a PhD in robotics at EPFL in Lausanne. He is the founding CTO of optimal.
Founding CTO at Optimal
Intro paths
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In turn, João can intro founders to Optimal's investors below.
Optimal's investors · 8
Co-founders at Optimal
DH
Dave HunterCEO
Experience
- Alpaca LawFoundercurrent2022 — presentLisbon, Portugal
- IndependentIndiepreneur2021 — 2025Lisbon, Portugal
- Sakana AIResearch Residency2024 — 2025
- Optimal LabsFounder & CTO2016 — 2018
- EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)Graduate Teaching Assistant2015 — 2016
- EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)PHD Researcher2014 — 2016
Education
- EPFLDoctor of Philosophy (PhD), Robotics2014 — 2016
- Instituto Superior TécnicoMaster of Engineering (MEng), Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering2012 — 2013
- University of AmsterdamMaster of Science - MS, Artificial Intelligence2011 — 2012
- Instituto Superior TécnicoLicentiate degree, Physics2008 — 2011
Skills & more
Computer VisionFlutterLarge Language Models (LLM)Machine Learning14Reinforcement Learning3Physics11Signal Processing9Entrepreneurship13Data Analysis4Algorithms6Programming12Mathematics3
+5 more
PythonMatlabLaTeXC++Computer VisonLanguages English · Português
- Duolingo Proficiency Exam in English: Expert — Duolingo
From João's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does João Abrantes work?
- João Abrantes is Founding CTO at Optimal.
- What companies did João Abrantes found?
- João Abrantes founded Optimal.
Founder mafias
Entrepreneur First mafia595
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Reid HoffmanBoard MemberFounded Manas AI +1Matthew WilsonVenture PartnerFounded Veratrak +2Rashid MansoorEntrepreneur, Inaugural CohortFounded Hadean +2Ruban KanapathippillaiEntrepreneur First 2024Founded Iterate AI +1Alice BentinckGeneral PartnerFounded Entrepreneurs First +1Matt CliffordCofounder and ChairFounded Entrepreneurs First +1
+ 588 more
EPFL mafia49
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ravi JainInternshipFounded Genylabs +1Anna VybornovaMaster's degreeFounded Polari Group +1Veronica Gambillara FonckPhDFounded GlycoEraMoe AdhamMScFounded BitaccessDaniel YanisseBachelor of Science (B.Sc.)Founded CheckrShubham BansalMaster of Science (M.S.)Founded Swadesi Way
+ 42 more
University of Amsterdam mafia28
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Helmuth van EsDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)Founded Antabio +1Sebastian BrunemeierMScFounded Cyclone Therapeutics +1Daniel HavenFounded Slauth.io +1Margot EngelsMasterFounded Holland CapitalMaarten EngelenArtificial IntelligenceFounded HiberBen WhiteResearch MasterFounded Vc4A
+ 21 more
Instituto Superior Técnico mafia8
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Pascal WielerMaster of Science - MSFounded GoCharly +1Jaime JorgeMsCFounded CodacyDiogo MónicaMScFounded AnchorageFrancisco Beirão BeloMaster of Science (MSc)Founded PassworksJoão GraçaPHDFounded UnbabelMaximilian IsenseeEnvironomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems (SELECT)Founded Kitekraft
+ 1 more
Same school
Also attended EPFL99
Bouraux LeopoldAI & Data Engineer at Newfund CapitalJan-Olivier FillolsSenior Managing Director at Marlin Equity PartnersChristoph FreiPartner, Head of Energy at Emerald Technology Ventures AgArzu TekirGeneral Partner at Treeo VCLaure BouchezExecutives in Residence at GENERAL INCEPTIONElena BattistelloAnalyst at Novartis Venture Fund
+ 93 more
Also attended Instituto Superior Técnico56
Flore BelmansAnalyst at Heran PartnersJoão BandeiraPrincipal, Infrastructure Software at Bright Pixel CapitalJoão MoutinhoDirector, People at Bright Pixel CapitalJoaquim Sérvulo RodriguesManaging Partner at Armilar Venture PartnersPedro Ribeiro SantosManaging Partner at Armilar Venture PartnersDuarte MineiroManaging Partner at Armilar Venture Partners
+ 50 more
Also attended University of Amsterdam174
TorjusInvestor at InvestinorDamien van der BijlInvestment Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersAndrea van ElsasInvestor at Third Rock VenturesFreya WordsworthAssociate at Nauta CapitalEmil SchaeferInvestor at Index VenturesDjoni de VosPrincipal at Keen Venture Partners
+ 168 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Sakana AI1
Also worked at Optimal Labs1
Also worked at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)54
Bouraux LeopoldAI & Data Engineer at Newfund CapitalChristoph FreiPartner, Head of Energy at Emerald Technology Ventures AgYannick RitschelInvestor at Backbone VenturesChristian JaagBoard Member at CV VCGaurav SantAdvisor, Director, UCLA Institute for Carbon Management at Overture ClimateLaure BouchezExecutives in Residence at GENERAL INCEPTION
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+ 48 more