I’m Fernando del Cantão, software developer and entrepreneur
I was born and raised in the largest city of the Southern Hemisphere: São Paulo/Brazil. My father is a Colonel and my mother is a Psychologist.
I started using computers when I was about 6 or 7 years old because my father had taken some programming courses in the 1980s before becoming a police officer. He was also responsible for the technology department of the police force at the time. We had several computers at home with Windows 95 and 98, where I would install games using floppy disks that my father brought home. When I accompanied my father to work, he would explain to me how he had architected the police computer networks, which used the Novell network at the time.
As a child and teenager, I initially wanted to become a painter or artist, and later, I aspired to be a police officer like my father. Towards the end of my school years, I was torn between pursuing a degree in history or technology. I had never imagined a career in software development. For financial reasons, I chose to go into technology and I loved it.
Below, you can view a timeline summarizing my professional and personal life so far.
2009
In 2009, I enrolled in the São Paulo State Technological College (FATEC) for a course in Software Analysis and Development. In the same year, I started my first job as a trainee at Sistemas TH.
2010
In 2010, I became a Junior Software Developer, switched colleges, and started studying Computer Engineering at the University of São Paulo (USP).
2012
In 2012, I became a Mid-Level Software Developer and dropped out of college, dedicating myself fully to the company and my own studies.
2014
In 2014, I was promoted to Senior Software Developer, a position I held until 2017.
2017
In this year, I founded Think Data with a partner and assumed the role of Principal Engineer.
2019
In 2019, I met my wife during her internship at the Consulate General of Switzerland in São Paulo. She is a Jurist and aspired to pursue a diplomatic career.
2020
In 2020, during the pandemic, we moved to Switzerland so that she could continue her career. My career was already established, and I was already managing the company's technology area remotely.
2021
In 2021, I decided to step back from the daily operations of the company and started working only as a technology consultant for Think Data and other companies in Brazil.
2022Current
In 2022, I founded the crowdfunding platform Coleta Digital, aimed at helping people finance their projects with lower fees than those charged by major market players, such as Kickstarter and Patreon internationally, and Catarse and Apoia.se in Brazil.
2023
In 2023, Nauê del Cantão was born. Our first son.
2024Current
In 2024, I founded the on-demand laundry platform Laundry Bag, offering washing and drying services for the Swiss market in Lucerne/Zurich and Zug with convenient, fast, and sustainable pickup and delivery of clothes. We use green energy in our machines and electric cars for deliveries, reducing gas emissions.
2025Current
I currently work as a consultant for companies in Brazil, serve as the lead developer for an association establishing a Montessori school in Lucerne, Switzerland, and hold the position of Tech Lead at Sintegrapi, a platform that automates queries to official sources from the Brazilian federal government.
I remain enthusiastic about creating projects that reach new audiences and integrate innovative solutions. My next goal is to secure an exciting job opportunity in Switzerland, where I can contribute to challenging projects and fully integrate into Swiss society, expanding my professional and cultural experience.