a Startup in 54 hours: RepBoost Wins Techstars Startup Weekend Viseu

What was supposed to be a formal interview quickly turned into an open, fun, and inspiring conversation with the team that took home first place at Techstars Startup Weekend Viseu. Over 54 hours of intense collaboration, brainstorming, and pivoting, these entrepreneurs built something real, and in the process, reminded everyone why Portugal’s startup scene feels so alive right now.

The winning team, RepBoost, came together almost by chance. Some members saw the event on WhatsApp; others were invited just two days before. But by Sunday, their mix of backgrounds and energy had turned into a product, and a victory.

“It was 54 hours of pure intensity,” one of the team members laughed. “Every three hours, our idea changed. We’d wake up the next day, and suddenly, we were working on something else.”

Originally conceived as a negotiation AI tool for individuals, RepBoost quickly evolved into a real-time coaching platform for sales teams. The pivot came after talking to sales leaders who shared a common problem: traditional call analysis tools provided feedback after the fact, often too late to make a difference. RepBoost decided to change that.

“The magic was in the feedback loop,” they explained. “We wanted to give salespeople real-time insights during the call, not afterward — but without distracting them. It’s about helping humans connect better, not replacing them.”

That human-centered approach became a defining element of their solution. Through dozens of customer interviews and mentor sessions, the team refined their idea while learning how to balance ambition with practicality.

From Hackathons to High Speed Teamwork

For most of the team, this was their first Startup Weekend. A few had experience in hackathons or working with startups, but none had built a startup from scratch in just three days.

“It really challenges every part of you,” one said. “You’re sleep deprived, you’re brainstorming non-stop, and you’re pitching to mentors. But it’s so rewarding.”

The RepBoost team represented a truly international mix — with members based in Lisbon, Viseu, and Brazil — united by curiosity and caffeine.

“We even joked that we were pivoting every few hours,” another added. “Even after the event, we’d say: Guys, pivot!”

Winning, But Not Stopping

Their hard work paid off: RepBoost was awarded first place and a 6 month incubation prize at Incubou, in Vila Nova de Gaia. The incubator offers both on-site and remote programs, a perfect fit for a geographically spread out team.

Now, they’re exploring what comes next. “We’re looking forward to seeing how the incubation will work,” they said. “The idea has a lot of potential. We want to nurture it in the best way possible.”

Community Over Competition

More than winning, what the team remembers most is the people.

“The networking was phenomenal. We met amazing mentors, judges, and participants. Even if we hadn’t won, the connections we made were priceless.”

They also praised the Techstars format and the local ecosystem, including partners like 351 Portuguese Startup Association and synvert xgeeks, for creating a space where collaboration thrived.

“One plus one doesn’t make two — it makes five,” someone noted. “It’s all about synergy.”

From drone startups tackling wildfires to healthtech ideas with real social impact, the group felt inspired by the creativity around them. “We were genuinely shocked when our name was called. Everyone there could’ve won.”

Why You Should Try It Too

Asked if they would recommend Startup Weekend to others, their answer was immediate: absolutely.

“If you have an idea, or even if you just want to see what it’s like to build something, go for it. You’ll learn more in 54 hours than in weeks of theory.”

Their message to Portugal’s aspiring founders is clear, the country’s startup scene grows not just through unicorns, but through weekends like these, where strangers become teammates, ideas turn into products, and a conversation turns into a movement.

The Last Word

Before we wrapped up, the team thanked everyone who made the event possible; the organizers, mentors, and their new network of peers. As we ended our call (after a few attempts to get everyone smiling for a screenshot), one of them summed it up perfectly:

“Startup Weekend isn’t just about launching a startup. It’s about launching yourself.”

The team behind RepBoost:

Antonio Rebelo was at home as he is from Viseu; Apo Zadeh is from Kuwait and lives n Lisbon; Adam Koncz is from Budapest but lives in Porto, Gil Meiri cames from Porto, Leonardo Sardelli is an Italian living in Lisbon

in conversation with Carlos Resende (Adamastor) & Gonçalo Costa (Techstars Weekend)

RepBoost is currently preparing for its incubation phase at Incubou and continuing to develop its real-time AI assistant for sales teams. Keep an eye out 👉 the next big idea from Viseu might just be taking its first steps.