From Technology Innovator to AI Pioneer: Filipe Teixeira's Journey
Discover how Filipe Teixeira transformed from a banking technology CIO to the visionary CEO of altermAInd, pioneering responsible enterprise-grade AI solutions across Europe.
A Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Responsibility
Portuguese Roots
Grew up in Portugal with a passion for technology and finance, studying at Universidade do Minho before entering the banking world
International Career
Managed IT projects across London, Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg and Madrid, developing expertise in financial technology
AI Innovation
Founded altermAInd in 2024, an AI venture "born to shape the unseen through responsible, enterprise-grade AI"
Filipe's professional odyssey has been marked by extraordinary adaptability and a commitment to responsible innovation. His journey began in 2006, just before the global financial crisis, setting the stage for a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and technological vision.
Early Career: Blending Finance and Technology
Santander Group
Started career supporting risk management IT initiatives between Lisbon and Madrid, leading critical projects in the bank's Risk division
Reply Consulting
Joined Italian tech consulting firm in London, leading digital transformation programmes for global financial institutions including Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas and UniCredit
Cross-Functional Expertise
Developed ability to bridge technology and business worlds, speaking the language of both technologists and executives
Mentorship & Growth
"Without a fixed plan, I had the chance to meet extraordinary people and companies who taught me, challenged me, and shaped who I am"
These formative years in banking technology instilled in Filipe a deep respect for governance and regulatory compliance—principles that would later define his approach to AI innovation. Working across borders taught him to navigate diverse teams and complex challenges, reinforcing the value of cross-functional collaboration.
Leading Transformation from Within
Strategic Vision
Balanced innovation with enterprise requirements
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Coordinated diverse teams from IT to business units
Compliance-First Mindset
Developed solutions that are robust, secure, and compliant by design
Digital Banking Transformation
Led UniCredit's core systems modernisation programme
In 2014, Filipe made a pivotal career move from consulting to an in-house leadership role at UniCredit. Initially hired as Head of IT Financial Risk, he quickly expanded his mandate to spearhead the bank's Digital Core Banking Transformation and lead the Commercial Banking Software Factory—effectively an in-house innovation lab.
This period tested his ability to marry strategic vision with execution, confirming his belief that true digital transformation requires not just cutting-edge technology, but also cultural change and strong governance. Working in a regulated environment, Filipe developed the "compliance-first" approach that would later become altermAInd's DNA.
Pioneering a Cloud-Native Bank
Cloud-First Architecture
Built illimity's systems entirely in the cloud
AI Integration
Leveraged AI and automation to streamline banking processes
Agile Culture
Instilled startup-like culture while maintaining compliance standards
Business Strategy
Demonstrated how technology could drive the business model
By late 2018, Filipe was ready for a groundbreaking challenge—joining Italian entrepreneur Corrado Passera to build Italy's first fully cloud-native bank. As founding Chief Information Officer of illimity Bank, he started with an empty office in Milan and a bold mandate: design a "new paradigm" bank driven by technological innovation.
At illimity, Filipe wasn't just a back-office leader; he helped shape business strategy, championing projects from AI-driven credit scoring to digital customer interfaces. This experience earned him recognition as one of Europe's notable digital leaders in banking and set the stage for his entrepreneurial leap—taking everything he'd learned about AI, cloud, and digital transformation to apply it beyond banking.
Founding altermAInd – "Shaping the Unseen"
Vision
Founded altermAInd in 2024 to "reshape the unseen patterns in business through intelligent technology" whilst maintaining European values of ethics and compliance
Gravity Platform
Developed an enterprise-grade AI platform that centralises generative AI integration for businesses whilst setting "new benchmarks for AI governance, offering transparency and compliance in highly regulated environments"
Responsible Innovation
"It's not because we are Europeans that we can't innovate in something as frontier as generative AI" whilst maintaining stringent governance standards
Filipe's transition from CIO to CEO came with the launch of altermAInd, an independent venture born from illimity's digital division. The company was founded on a bold premise: that European industries could embrace cutting-edge AI without compromising on ethics, transparency, or compliance.
Under his leadership, Gravity became altermAInd's flagship product—an all-in-one solution that allows organisations to integrate powerful AI models and create no-code virtual assistants, whilst ensuring full data traceability and cost control. The platform embodies Filipe's vision of responsible AI, helping companies adopt advanced technology efficiently whilst staying within the guardrails of enterprise IT and regulatory policies.
Vision, Values, and Leadership Style
Curiosity
A drive to keep learning and exploring new frontiers, which has taken him from Portugal to financial capitals of Europe and into pioneering AI for business
Integrity
Insistence on AI governance, data ethics, and security in every project, believing that technology must be accountable
People and Teamwork
Values collaboration and builds teams that "operate like friends on a mission," acknowledging that his success is intertwined with others
Impact
Motivated by creating technology that solves real problems, pursuing projects that reveal insights and opportunities not immediately obvious
Throughout his career, Filipe has maintained a leadership style that balances innovation with responsibility. He frequently expresses gratitude for "the chance to meet extraordinary people and companies who taught me, challenged me, and shaped who I am," emphasizing that his journey is a collaborative one.
As CEO of altermAInd, he now channels this vision into helping enterprises unlock hidden value. The company's motto of "shaping the unseen" reflects Filipe's belief in the transformative potential of AI when used wisely—revealing insights and opportunities that lie untapped in data and processes.
An Inspiring Ongoing Journey
IT Project Manager
Started in Lisbon managing banking technology projects
Transformation Leader
Led digital initiatives across multinational banks
Banking CIO
Built Italy's first cloud-native bank as founding CIO
AI Entrepreneur
Founded altermAInd to pioneer responsible AI innovation
Filipe Teixeira's professional evolution reflects a journey of continuous growth and bold transitions. He doesn't view his path as a career but as a journey—"one fuelled by passion rather than a predetermined plan." This reflective approach makes his narrative compelling in keynote introductions and investor discussions, as he speaks not just to what he's achieved, but why.
As CEO of altermAInd, Filipe stands at the forefront of AI-driven enterprise solutions, weaving together all threads of his past. "Building something with my friends at altermAInd feels like the culmination of a journey that started with nothing but curiosity and passion," he reflects. With an eye on the future, he remains committed to reshaping the unseen and helping businesses thrive in the age of AI, approaching what's ahead "proud, thankful, excited—and ready for everything that's still ahead."