Ricardo Barroca - Freelance AI Developer and Blockchain Consultant based in Faro, Portugal. Specializing in AI automation, blockchain development, and MVP creation for businesses worldwide.Available for hire: AI automation services, blockchain consulting, MVP development, trading strategy development, smart contract development, and full-stack web applications using React, Next.js, and Python.Proven freelance track record: 5+ years experience, $500K+ client value generated, multiple hackathon winner including ETH Global Prague, Sub0 Polkadot 2nd place, and numerous blockchain competitions.Freelance services: OpenAI API integrations, custom AI solutions, smart contract development, quantitative trading algorithms, React/Next.js development, Python automation, UI/UX design, and business process optimization.Service areas: Portugal, Europe, United States, worldwide remote work. Fluent in English and Portuguese. Available for both short-term projects and long-term consulting engagements.Hiring: Contact btcto154k@gmail.com or book free consultation at https://cal.com/barroca/30min. Competitive freelance rates for AI and blockchain projects.Expertise: AI developer for hire, blockchain consultant, crypto developer, DeFi specialist, trading strategy developer, MVP creator, startup advisor, innovation consultant, hackathon winner, remote developer.

Hi, I'm Ricardo👋

Entrepreneur focused on execution and value, not hype or BS
RB

Impact by the Numbers

Fund Managed

$50M+

My work changing lives

Generated YTD

+$10M

Revenue to my clients

Hackathons Won

6+

International hackathons Won

How I help

I help entrepreneurs achieve more quickly in less time

I blend technical expertise with strategic thinking to deliver tangible results for businesses.

Financial Institutions

Turn Market Data Into Alpha

I build intelligent trading systems that identify opportunities others miss. From volatility clustering to regime detection, my strategies deliver consistent returns with controlled risk.

26% Annual Returns
$50M+ Under Management
8.8% Alpha vs Market
<20% Max Drawdown
+17%
▲ +8.8%
▼ -0.8%
VOL: 1.2M
MKT: $8.08B
Business Automation

Automate Operations, Scale Growth

I create AI-powered workflows that handle repetitive tasks while you focus on strategy. From intelligent chatbots to automated reporting, my solutions integrate seamlessly with your existing tools.

AI Chatbots
Workflow Automation
Smart Analytics
Process Optimization
AUTOMATING
99% EFFICIENT
AI
BOT
⚡ FAST
🎯 ACCURATE
My Skills

My Skills

I've worked on a variety of projects, from AI-powered platforms to trading strategies. Here are a few of my favorites.

MVP & POC Development
Python Backend Development
UI/UX Design (Figma, Framer)
Frontend Development
AI Automations & Integrations
Trading Strategy Development
Business Operations & Strategy
AI Agent Development & Automation
Growth, Marketing & Sales Optimization
Hackathons & Events

I like to build things

I've attended 19+ hackathons and events around the world. From winning prizes to speaking at conferences, I'm passionate about innovation and building solutions to real-world problems.

💰 Total Hackathon Earnings

$0

From winning coding competitions worldwide

2022
  • S

    Solana Breakpoint

    Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹

    The flagship annual conference for the Solana community, bringing together builders, enthusiasts, and industry leaders to explore the latest developments and future of the ecosystem.
    Event
2023
  • S

    Solana Breakpoint

    Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱

    An annual conference celebrating the Solana ecosystem, with over 3,000 attendees, dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration among developers and enthusiasts.
    Event
  • W

    Web Summit

    Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹

    Developed an AI-powered platform for circular economy solutions addressing sustainability challenges. Recognized for innovative approach to environmental problem-solving.
    Event
  • S

    Startup Weekend Faro

    Faro, Portugal 🇵🇹

    🏆 Grand Winner
    Collaborated with local entrepreneurs to develop and pitch innovative business ideas over 54 hours. Focused on rapid prototyping and business model validation.
    Hackathon
2024
  • P

    Polar Bear Pitching

    Oulu, Finland 🇫🇮

    💰 Free Startup Ticket
    A unique pitching competition where startups present their ideas from a hole in the ice, combining entrepreneurship with a test of resilience in a freezing environment.
    Event
  • T

    Tech Chill

    Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻

    Major startup and tech conference in the Baltics, known for its focus on emerging technologies and fostering connections between founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts.
    Event
  • E

    ETH Global Brussels

    Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪

    🏆 Track Winner
    💰 $300
    Collaborated with European developers to build innovative blockchain solutions. Focused on Ethereum infrastructure and decentralized application development.
    Hackathon
    🚀 Demo
    📜 Certificate
  • S

    Superhack

    Online

    🏆 Track Winner
    💰 100$
    Built scalable solutions for Layer 2 ecosystems on Optimism's Superchain. Focused on scaling Ethereum through innovative Layer 2 development.
    Hackathon
    🚀 Demo
    📜 Certificate
  • A

    Arctic Circular Economy Summit

    Kirkenes, Norway 🇳🇴

    Invited speaker at the Arctic Circular Economy Summit focusing on sustainable innovation in the Arctic region. Presented solutions for circular economy business models and environmental sustainability.
    Event
  • E

    ETH Online

    Online

    Largest virtual Ethereum hackathon. Built decentralized applications exploring cutting-edge Web3 technologies and Ethereum ecosystem innovations.
    Hackathon
  • S

    Solana Hacker House

    Hong Kong 🇭🇰

    A multi-day event for Solana builders to collaborate, with workshops, panels, and guidance from Solana Labs engineers, focused on fostering innovation within the ecosystem.
    Hackathon
  • S

    SmartCon Hong Kong

    Hong Kong 🇭🇰

    🏆 OpenMesh // Space and Time Winner
    💰 $4,000 ($2k liquid + $2k server credits)
    Attended Chainlink's premier Web3 conference - the first SmartCon hosted in Asia. Explored the latest developments in Web3 infrastructure, oracle technology, and blockchain integrations as Hong Kong positions itself as a global crypto destination.
    Hackathon
  • A

    AWS <> Orbiter Finance Startup Pitch

    AWS Office, Hong Kong 🇭🇰

    🏆 3rd Place
    💰 $500
    Pitched an innovative startup concept at the AWS event in Hong Kong, focusing on Orbiter Finance. The pitch highlighted AI-driven solutions for financial startups, earning me third place in the competition.
    Event
  • S

    Sub0 Polkadot Hackathon

    Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

    🏆 2nd Place
    💰 $625
    Three-day immersive Substrate developers conference focused on Polkadot SDK development. Featured workshops on JAM (Gavin Wood's project), modularity, and ecosystem education.
    Hackathon
    🚀 Demo
  • D

    DevCon Bangkok

    Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

    Attended the largest Ethereum developer conference with the global Ethereum community. Engaged with core developers and learned about the latest protocol developments and ecosystem innovations.
    Event
  • E

    ETH Global Bangkok

    Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

    🏆 Couldn't pitch due to venue food poisoning
    Major Ethereum hackathon during Devcon with 1000+ attendees, 68+ protocols, 61+ workshops, and $750,000 in prizes. Built innovative blockchain solutions on themes including ZK Proofs, AI x Crypto, and Layer 2s.
    Hackathon
    🚀 Demo
    📜 Certificate
2025
  • A

    Agentic Ethereum

    Online

    Upcoming hackathon exploring the future of autonomous agents on Ethereum. Focus on building AI-powered solutions for decentralized applications and smart contract automation.
    Hackathon
  • P

    Pragma Prague

    Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿

    Upcoming event focused on pragmatic blockchain solutions and development practices. Pre-event for ETH Global Prague 2025.
    Event
  • E

    ETH Global Prague

    Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿

    🏆 2x Track Winner
    💰 $350
    Upcoming major Ethereum hackathon with 800+ attendees, 13+ protocols, 29+ workshops, and $150,000 in prizes. Themes include Zero Knowledge Proofs, AI x Crypto, DeFi, and Layer 2 scaling solutions.
    Hackathon
    🚀 Demo
    📜 Certificate

About Me

I'm a self-taught learner and creative individual with 5+ years of hands-on experience turning ideas into functional MVPs (and sometimes award winning at Hackathons).

I've delivered $1M+ in ROI for clients through AI automations, web development, and algorithmic trading systems.

From teaching myself to code, to building trading strategies for a $1B Asset Management fund, to leading AI innovation at Dengun, I've always thrived where tech meets execution.

I specialize in building high-impact tools and MVPs that blend design, data, and efficiency—ideal for startups, VCs, and fast-moving teams who need someone who doesn't just talk. I ship.

Ricardo Barroca
Ricardo Barroca - Mew

Work Experience

G

GR Financial Group

2022 - Present
Trading Strategy Analyst & Developer (Remote)
Tucson, Arizona - USA 🇺🇸
•Led the development of proprietary trading strategies focused on index volatility and regime shifts across a 25-year backtest period.
•Built a strategy currently live with $50M under management, generating ~17% annualized returns, Sharpe ratio of 1,57, and <20% max drawdown, consistently outperforming the market with an 8% alpha, resulting in over $10M generated year-to-date.
•Responsible for full-cycle R&D of signal generation, portfolio allocation, and execution logic within a hedge fund managing $1B+ AUM.
D

Dengun

2022 - 2025
Innovation Unit
Faro, Portugal 🇵🇹
•Founded and led Dengun Labs, a creative R&D unit exploring applied AI and agentic reasoning for startup innovation and internal tools.
•Designed agent-based systems capable of transforming vague project ideas into executable plans, including early-stage AI-driven business planning tools.
•Directed innovation strategy and product prototyping to support both client projects and internal optimization efforts.
S

SMK University of Applied Sciences

2024 - 2024
Marketing Intern
Vilnius, Lithuania 🇱🇹
•Led the creation of Gen Z-focused social media campaigns to increase international student engagement and applications.
•Produced and edited multimedia content for global outreach, aligned with SMK's 10% international growth target.
•Acted as a cultural ambassador, representing SMK's values and lifestyle during events to connect with foreign students.
F

Freelance

2017 - 2022
Crypto & Financial Markets Consultant
Remote
•Provided hands-on advisory to individuals and projects navigating crypto and traditional financial markets.
•Specialized in technical education, NFT community analysis, and scraping infrastructure for market trend detection.
•Helped clients interpret volatility cycles, build structured insights from on-chain behavior, and stay ahead of NFT ecosystem shifts.

I've worked with people from all over the world

Let's Build Something

Amazing

Want to chat? Just shoot me a message and I'll respond whenever I can.

Book a 30min Call
Available for new projects
Response time: 24-48 hours
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