From Freelance to Founder: Building AI Startups While Balancing Student Life & Entrepreneurship

Send a text In this episode, I sit down with Pedro Lourenco — a penultimate-year Computer Science student at the University of St Andrews, AI automation expert, and founder of Tech Cortex, an agency helping businesses streamline operations through AI-powered solutions. He’s also the co-founder of Speakmeal, a nutrition and fitness app that uses AI to simplify healthy living with personalized tracking and smart automation. Pedro has built tools that help companies boost efficiency, cut costs, and scale — all while balancing university life and engaging with cutting-edge research in the field of technology. We talk about his journey from freelancing as a web developer to launching startups, how he leverages AI to solve real-world problems, and the mindset that keeps him focused and driven. Pedro also talks about balancing technical ambition with personal growth, why routines matter, and how students can build more intentionally. Whether you’re a tech founder, aspiring founder, or just curious about the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and student life — this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and actionable ideas. Pedro’s story is a reminder that with the right mindset, tools, and mission, you can create something big — even while you’re still a student. Pedro's Linkedin