Did you know that Brazil is celebrating 30 years of commercial internet?
In 1992, I co-founded Dialdata with three partners to connect computers through a BBS (Bulletin Board System) service. By 1995, we had expanded to offer internet access and related services. At that time, commercial internet access was in its infancy globally, and companies like Dialdata were at the forefront of this new frontier in Brazil. It was quite an adventure, especially for people pioneering something new and unique.
To give you a glimpse of those early days, here’s what the Dialdata website looked like in 1995.
Is it simple? Of course. Does it make me a little embarrassed? Absolutely… But as Reid Hoffman says:
“If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you launched it too late.”
This quote resonates deeply with me. Our early focus on launching quickly, learning, and iterating with customers became a key principle that shaped my career in product development. That’s how we created one of Brazil’s first internet access and service providers.
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come—not only in terms of technology but also in mindset. However, “launch fast and learn” remains an essential principle for anyone working with digital products.
Do you remember what your first website or digital product looked like? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!
I’ve been helping companies and their leaders (CPOs, heads of product, CTOs, CEOs, tech founders, and heads of digital transformation) bridge the gap between business and technology through workshops, coaching, and advisory services on product management and digital transformation.
Do you work with digital products? Do you want to know more about managing a digital product to increase its chances of success, solve its user’s problems, and achieve the company objectives? Check out my Digital Product Management books, where I share what I learned during my 30+ years of experience in creating and managing digital products: