Just got back to Málaga after a year in Berkeley, California, and reconnected with the entire Uptodown team.
It’s been an intense year of exploring and absorbing everything around me. Surprisingly, some of my biggest takeaways didn’t come from new adventures, but from familiar faces and projects closer to home—like watching Freepik brilliantly pivoting or the invaluable insights from friends like Cuenca and Florido. Their experiences have given me fresh insights on how we can launch some exciting new stuff and sharpen our strategies here at Uptodown.
Taking part in Freepik’s UpScale event in San Francisco this year was also a game-changer. Many of the shifts and bold moves they’re leading in the creative industry are totally relevant to our own world of app distribution.
And at the same time, seeing up close how the new status symbols in today’s US tech culture actually reflect the principles we’ve always stood for at Uptodown really hit home. It was a strong reminder that we’re on the right track, a motivation to keep going.
Sure, this year away was tough—especially missing the daily hustle with the Uptodown team. BUT everything ran like clockwork without me. I always knew our team was packed with talent, but honestly, I didn’t realize just how smoothly they’d sail without me around. It’s humbling to see just how strong and autonomous the team has become.
Now that I’m back, I’ve found an even more motivated and energized team, ready to tackle the future. And I’ve got a backpack full of fresh ideas, inspiration, and proposals gathered from my time immersed in Silicon Valley’s scene. It’s time to unpack them and put them to good use.
At Uptodown, we have some incredibly valuable assets built over decades—our technology, rich content, and engaged community. Now, we’re ready to amplify these strengths by integrating the latest AI tools and technologies. This is going to unlock new opportunities, help us deliver new amazing products, and bring even greater value to our industry.
Exciting times are ahead. We’re ready to surf this new AI-driven wave. Stay tuned, because soon, we’ll have some thrilling announcements about all the cool stuff we’ve been working on.
EDIT: This Was the 2025 Uptodown Open Session – Summer Edition
@luishg 