Pedro Ruão

Pedro Ruão, 46, is a Portuguese engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur recognized for his work in sustainable technology and smart cities. He graduated in Engineering from the University of Porto in 2004 and began his professional journey with a strong focus on innovation, energy systems, and design. His early passion for transforming urban energy usage led him to develop the first concepts for Omniflow—initially sketched on a napkin and later refined through research and real-world testing.

In 2012, following recognition through the Richard Branson–EDP Innovation Award, Pedro officially founded Omniflow with the goal of revolutionizing public infrastructure by merging clean energy with advanced digital applications. Today, Omniflow’s smart lampposts—powered by wind and solar—support integrated 5G small cells, edge computing, computer vision, EV chargers, and IoT sensors. The technology is now deployed in over 35 countries, helping cities reduce carbon emissions while accelerating their transition to smart, connected, and resilient urban environments.

Pedro holds multiple patents in energy, robotics, and product design, reflecting a practical and innovative approach to problem-solving. His work spans critical areas such as e-mobility, public safety, environmental monitoring, drones, and telecommunications infrastructure. Under his leadership, Omniflow has earned international recognition, including awards from the Solar Impulse Foundation, Monaco Smart Marina, and Red Herring, which named it one of the Top 100 startups in Europe.

Beyond his role as CEO, Pedro is a frequent keynote speaker, sharing insights on sustainability, smart cities, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems at international events. His entrepreneurial journey—from a simple sketch to a global company—is a testament to resilience, vision, and a deep belief in technology as a force for good.