Henrique Silva
As a mobile developer who spent years building apps for others, I experienced firsthand the frustration of high platform fees and algorithmic gatekeeping. But it wasn’t until I moved to São Paulo and struggled to find authentic local events that the idea for Movuca crystallized.
The Problem I Lived
Coming from a smaller city, I found São Paulo’s event scene overwhelming. Traditional platforms showed me expensive tourist attractions or paid promotions, but I craved authentic experiences - the kind locals actually attend. When I finally discovered amazing underground venues through friends, I realized the best events weren’t hidden intentionally - they just couldn’t afford to compete with corporate marketing budgets.
The Technical Journey
My background in mobile development taught me that the best apps solve real problems elegantly. With Movuca, I wanted to build something that felt natural - like getting recommendations from friends, not advertisements from corporations.
Key technical decisions:
- Social-first architecture: Your network drives discovery, not algorithms
- Fair pricing model: 6.5% + R$2 vs industry standard 10% + R$4.99
- Community-owned growth: Real users sharing experiences they love
- Local-first design: Neighborhood culture over mass tourism
Why Movuca Matters
Having built applications for major corporations, I’ve seen how technology can either empower communities or extract from them. Movuca represents my commitment to the empowerment side - creating technology that strengthens local communities rather than replacing them.
Beyond the Code
When I’m not working on Movuca, you’ll find me exploring São Paulo’s incredible music scene, supporting local venues, and learning about the cultural movements that make each neighborhood unique. These experiences directly inform our product development and community strategy.
Vision for the Future
I believe technology should make authentic human connections easier, not harder. As we expand Movuca across Brazil and Latin America, our north star remains simple: help people discover experiences they’ll genuinely love through communities they actually trust.
Personal Philosophy
“The best technology disappears into the background, leaving room for real human connections to flourish. That’s what we’re building at Movuca.”
Want to connect or share feedback about Movuca? I read every message at [email protected]