From Glion to Forbes 30 Under 30: Gonçalo Santos' International Journey

Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer of Sharing Group recognised as one of only 30 individuals selected across Portugal, following a career spanning technology, international education, investment and business growth.

Gonçalo Santos, Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer of Sharing Group, has been recognised in the Forbes Portugal 30 Under 30 Class of 2026, joining an exclusive group of 30 young professionals selected nationwide for the impact of their professional achievements before the age of 30. The recognition highlights a career built across international corporations and the development of a Portuguese family business operating in the fields of international education, real estate and hospitality.

A graduate of Glion Institute of Higher Education, having completed the Multi-Campus Programme across Switzerland and London, Gonçalo began his international career working in cities including Lisbon, Dubai, Barcelona, Madrid and London.

At the age of 23, he joined CrowdStrike, the American cybersecurity company that would go on to become one of the world's leading cybersecurity businesses. There, he played a key role in launching the Iberian market, delivering outstanding commercial results that earned him membership of the company's prestigious President's Club, CrowdStrike's highest global sales recognition programme. At just 24 years old, he was invited to help establish CrowdStrike's Barcelona office as part of the company's Southern European expansion and was also involved during the company's successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Nasdaq in 2019.

This experience enabled him to build an independent international career before returning to Portugal to apply the knowledge and expertise gained abroad to the continued growth and professionalisation of his family's business.

As Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer of Sharing Group, Gonçalo is responsible for the group's commercial strategy, client and investor relations, and the development of new business opportunities. In recent years, he has played a leading role in attracting international investment into the group's investment funds, promoting Portugal to overseas investors—particularly in the United States—and helping finance the group's continued expansion.

"Receiving this recognition is an honour, but this recognition is not mine alone, it reflects the trust, support, and collaboration of so many incredible people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past years. My professional journey began outside the family business, in highly competitive international environments that taught me the value of ambition, consistency and continuous growth. My goal has always been to bring that experience back to Portugal and apply it to projects capable of creating long-term impact," said Gonçalo Santos.

The Forbes recognition highlights a new generation of Portuguese business leaders combining international experience, proven performance within global companies, private investment expertise and a long-term vision for the development of strategic sectors of the Portuguese economy.