In this post, we unveil the secrets and special moments in the Techstars Startup Weekend dynamic, by taking a look back on the Porto edition. Learn more about what to expect from a Startup Weekend, what you can learn by enrolling, and how was the experience in the first edition in 11 years in Porto!
For the first time in over a decade, the Techstars Startup Weekend returned to Porto, held at Pólo Zero and hosted by 351 Portuguese Startup Association with the support of the Porto Municipality, Critical Software, MEO and SageScan. From October 11th to the 13th, participants gathered for an unforgettable 54-hour marathon of idea development, networking, and innovation. Here’s a look back at the highlights of each day – and a sneak peek of what Lisbon’s upcoming Startup Weekend has in store!
Day 1: Kick-off, sharing dreams and building teams
Friday evening kicked off with a vibrant welcome session. After an introduction to the weekend’s structure and goals, some icebreakers got everyone comfortable and motivated. Then we got the main activity of day 1 – idea pitching! During this session, whoever had an idea to pitch made their way to the stage and pitched to the entire group. Once pitches wrapped up, participants voted for their favorite ideas and formed teams around the top concepts.
Before teams dove into work, they attended two valuable workshops: beginning with an introduction to Sustainability in business – a crucial topic especially in today’s world – led by Critical Software, followed by a Business Model Canvas workshop. Both of these gave teams a strong foundation to work on their projects. By the end of the evening, Startup Weekend momentum was in full swing, with the teams ready to take off on Saturday.
Day 2: Building, testing, and mentorship
Saturday was an intense day of building and validation. The day began with a workshop on Minimum Viable Product conducted by SageScan, helping teams clarify what would take to bring their ideas to life. With a full day to dive in, teams defined their business models, refined target markets, and began validating their ideas.
Throughout the day, a diverse group of mentors rotated through teams, challenging assumptions and providing invaluable feedback. Some teams even decided to take to the streets of Porto for real-world feedback! This street-level validation gave participants firsthand insights into their markets and customers – and in some cases, even resulted in sales!
After dinner, the last workshop of the Weekend took place, the Pitching workshop, giving teams strategies to shape their presentations. With fresh insights from this session, teams put in some more work before leaving for the day.
Day 3: Pitching day!
The final day, Sunday, was pitching day! The morning was dedicated to final adjustments and perfecting pitches – refining decks, practicing presentations, and working out any last-minute details. With a mix of nerves and excitement, each team prepared to showcase their work in front of a panel of judges.
Soon after lunch, pitching began! Each team had just 3 minutes to present, followed by a round of Q&A from the judges. Then came the hard part: the judges gathered to choose only three winners from six standout pitches.
What followed was a celebration of the Weekend, with everyone coming together to recognize the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that made the event a success.
Did you miss the Porto edition? Are you ready to experience this immersive weekend? Then don’t miss out on the one in Lisbon!
Inspired by Porto? Think you’d like to be part of this excitement? Don’t miss out on the next Techstars Startup Weekend in Lisbon, taking place from the 15th to the 17th of November at Heden Alvalade with the special help of Le Wagon! With new mentors and judges, and the same passion to keep innovating, Lisbon promises an even bigger experience. Whether you’re a developer, marketer, designer, or simply someone passionate about innovation, this is the place to be.
Get your ticket today and be a part of this intense, unforgettable weekend! Catch the last tickets here!
