Richemont, the luxury giant behind brands like Cartier and Montblanc, has opened its first tech hub outside Switzerland in Lisbon, named R:Tech. The hub has already onboarded 100 employees, with plans to expand to 400 within two years, focusing on roles like software engineers, product specialists, and data scientists.
Located in Moscavide, the 3,200 square meter space represents a significant, albeit undisclosed, investment by Richemont. Lucas De Gaulejac, the hub's operational lead, emphasized the project's scale as a testament to its importance.
Renald Litré, Richemont's Platforms Director, highlighted the hub's integration with Swiss operations and its strategic role in enhancing the group's technological foundations, boutique tech, and AI capabilities. Eduardo Grilo, CTO, shared insights into Richemont's AI journey, including the launch of an internal AI agent, Agent 42, to foster safe generative AI use.
Nicolas Bos, Richemont's CEO, chose Lisbon for its vibrant tech ecosystem, appealing lifestyle, and historical ties to the group. He reminisced about his early career audits in Portugal and a memorable Cartier exhibition in Belém.
"This isn't a new story but a new chapter in a very old one," Bos remarked, underscoring the deep-rooted connection between Richemont and Portugal.
The hub's launch comes as Richemont navigates the luxury e-commerce landscape, recently adjusting its strategy following the Farfetch saga. The group continues to innovate, with AI and digital transformation at the forefront of its agenda.
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