The Dean’s Scholarship recognises the academic, professional and personal merit of candidates with outstanding track records. Nuno Delgado is the recipient in this year’s edition.
From engineering to the batteries of the future — and now, to an MBA
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey before joining Porto Business School?
I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, but I believe my professional journey truly began during my master’s thesis. I’ve always been passionate about renewable energy and was particularly eager to work with batteries — a technology I didn’t yet fully master.
I completed my thesis in Denmark, at a company called VisBlue. The project went very well — in fact, they still use the experimental methodology I developed. That led to an invitation to pursue a PhD at the same company, focused on flow batteries. Before that, I worked as a research fellow at FEUP for a year and a half, also in this field.
During my PhD, I worked in product development, contributing directly to the company’s performance — a startup that quickly became a technological reference in the sector. Later, I joined Simoldes Plásticos, where I was the first hire dedicated to sodium cells, the core of sodium-ion batteries. I embraced this project fully, as I deeply believe in the values of innovation, ambition and excellence — values I also see reflected at Porto Business School.
Before enrolling in the MBA, I completed a Executive Master in Business Innovation at PBS. It was a key turning point: it helped me bridge my technical background with business creation and taught me how to align product, market and value proposition.
Why an MBA at Porto Business School?
What motivated you to apply for an MBA, and why did you choose Porto Business School?
The decision was easy. I was already familiar with the school through the executive master, and the experience had been excellent — internationally experienced professors and highly collaborative, curious peers. Choosing the MBA felt like a natural continuation of my path.
The executive master gave me a solid foundation to launch a business, but I felt there was still a lot to learn — especially around financial management, leadership and people management. My goal is to be better prepared to take on senior leadership roles, particularly in the energy sector, which is where I want to continue building my career.
The Dean’s Scholarship: recognition and responsibility
What does receiving the Dean’s Scholarship mean to you, and how did you feel when you found out you had been selected?
I felt immense joy and happiness. It’s always rewarding to receive recognition — not only on a personal level, but also professionally. I must also acknowledge all the teams and companies I’ve worked with along the way. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here today. So I see this scholarship as a shared achievement.
More than anything, the scholarship represents a responsibility — the responsibility of representing Porto Business School throughout the MBA. I want to live this experience in line with the school’s values: collaboration, mutual support and excellence. That’s what I aim to reflect in everything I do.
Looking ahead: leading with vision
What excites you most about this new chapter, and what are your expectations? Looking a year ahead — or even five years into the future — what are your dreams or plans?
I see this MBA as an opportunity on two levels: personal — to grow and evolve; and professional — to advance into leadership roles. I believe the MBA will help me position myself better, not necessarily more easily, but with more confidence and readiness. I hope this growth happens through both the knowledge I gain in class and the insights I gain from working with peers.
My biggest ambition is to lead a company in the energy storage sector. Ideally, I’d like to found my own company — but I’m always open to other opportunities. Right now, I’m leading a team focused on launching a spin-off. While the company isn’t in my name, it’s a project that I’m very passionate about.
What motivates me most at this stage is the chance to learn as much as possible. I know it’s a demanding programme that requires resilience — but I’m ready. I want to collaborate with people who bring different perspectives and ways of thinking. That’s what helps us grow — not just as professionals, but as people. And that’s how we move from being “good” to being “excellent”.
To me, an MBA is not only about faculty or curriculum — it’s also about the people. Without motivation and alignment, the experience loses its value. But from what I’ve seen so far, my peers are engaged and driven, and that gives me confidence that this will be a very enriching experience.
The leadership skills that matter
In your opinion, what are the most important soft and hard skills a leader should develop today?
In my view, emotional intelligence is the most important soft skill a leader can have today. Empathy is essential for building a motivated, focused, and connected team. A good leader needs to listen, understand and inspire.
As for hard skills, I’d highlight two: financial management — because every decision has an economic impact — and technical expertise. In a fast-evolving sector like energy, a leader needs to fully understand the product or technology to make well-informed and strategic decisions.
With a track record shaped by dedication, curiosity and a constant drive to learn, Nuno Delgado brings to the Executive MBA the energy and ambition of someone ready to go further. The Dean’s Scholarship is a recognition of his achievements — and the beginning of a new chapter filled with challenges and growth.