What does it take to build a startup that simplifies relocation, connects people with homes, and balances tech with a human touch?

In this episode, I sit down with Joao Mesquita(CEO) and Alec Hilbert (Chief Growth Officer), the co-founders of StaysCo, a tech-enabled service company based in Luxembourg. Their mission? Make relocation seamless for expats, HR teams, and business travellers by connecting them with trusted property managers and quality housing solutions.

🚀 In this episode, you'll learn:

✔︎ What they would do differently if starting again

✔︎ Why market understanding must come before building

✔︎ How they approached building and testing their MVP

✔︎ Why they chose not to raise external funding

✔︎ The power of focus, resilience, and filtering advice

✔︎ Why StaysCo is built as a service-first company powered by tech

Whether you're a founder, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is a masterclass in early-stage decision-making.

Chapters

00:00 Rebuilding the Startup: What We’d Do Differently

02:29 The Birth of Staysco: Identifying Market Gaps

04:06 Steps to Build an MVP and Join a Startup Incubator

06:34 Testing the MVP with Initial Customers

09:54 Business Model: How StaysCo Generates Revenue

12:36 Service Enabled Tech Company

14:26 The Vision Beyond Luxembourg

15:53 Why Not to Raise External Capital

19:32 The Cost of Commitment: Working Without Pay

23:35 Navigating Pivots: Adapting to Change in Startups

30:24 Struggles and Solutions: The Entrepreneurial Journey