On January 28, 2026, the Faculty of Business at City University of Macau hosted a special lecture titled “Starting Your Own Business Is a Real Career Option”, featuring Mr. Paulo Andrez, a renowned international angel investor and President Emeritus of the European Business Angel Network (EBAN). The event attracted a large number of students and faculty members, generating lively discussions and enthusiastic participation. Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor José Alves, along with several other professors, were also in attendance.
Mr. Paulo Andrez is a seasoned investor and the author of the practical entrepreneurship guide Zero Risk Startup. Drawing on his extensive investment experience, he explored entrepreneurship as a viable career path, offering insightful and engaging reflections on common sources of entrepreneurial risk.
The first half of the lecture focused on identifying and managing entrepreneurial risks. Mr. Andrez emphasized that entrepreneurship is not about avoiding risk altogether, but rather about understanding its nature, clearly categorizing risks, and making rational judgments. He highlighted that "small risks" are an essential part of the entrepreneurial and learning process, encouraging the audience to be bold, take action, and iterate quickly. He further pointed out that the university environment itself offers a low-cost, low-consequence space for experimentation. He particularly encouraged business students to leverage their time and resources on campus to test and validate ideas within a controlled risk framework, viewing entrepreneurship as a career path to be explored progressively to gain hands-on experience. However, he advised carefully avoiding "large risks" that could jeopardize personal or family financial stability or harm reputational standing. This nuanced perspective on risk provided clear guidance for students on how to balance academic pursuits with entrepreneurial exploration.
During the interactive Q&A session, numerous students from different countries and regions actively participated in a lively discussion. Students raised thoughtful questions concerning topics such as securing family support for entrepreneurial ventures, key investor criteria, and the impact of technological change. When asked about gaining family understanding and the core traits of an entrepreneur, Mr. Andrez offered practical advice from the angles of risk communication and demonstrating proof of concept to build trust with families and clearly identify customer pain points.
Regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on the venture capital industry, he stated unequivocally that AI will bring revolutionary changes. He shared that some investment firms are already using AI to analyze pitch decks and generate research reports on startups. These AI-driven analyses can uncover issues that even the founders had not previously recognized, demonstrating the significant potential of AI in investment decision-making and risk identification.
This lecture not only deepened students’ and faculty members’ understanding of entrepreneurial risk management and investment thinking, but also showcased the faculty’s diverse and international learning environment, providing valuable insights for students considering entrepreneurship as a future career path.