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Published on by Nuri Shahzad

Focus BC Kick-Off 2026 in Porto de Mós

The Focus BC team gathered in Porto de Mós for its 2026 Kick-Off, spending three days reconnecting, reflecting and aligning priorities for the year ahead.

A few days away from our usual routine can do a lot.

This year, the Focus BC team gathered in Porto de Mós for our 2026 Kick-Off, spending three days reconnecting, reflecting and aligning on what we want the next months to look like.

Set in a quieter town surrounded by nature, Porto de Mós was an ideal backdrop to slow down and focus. Our home for the Kick-Off was Dolinas Climbing Hotel, a modern and comfortable space that gave us exactly what we needed to settle in, work well together and genuinely enjoy time as a team outside our day-to-day rhythm.

It is also Portugal’s first climbing hotel, with an indoor climbing center right on site, which made the whole stay feel even more unique.

Aligning on the Months Ahead

With everyone settled in, we kicked things off with our quarterly meeting.

We took a step back to review the past months, highlight key wins and learnings, and be honest about what we want to improve. From there, we looked ahead, sharing updates, demos and the priorities that will guide the next months.

It was a valuable moment to pause, listen and make sure everyone was aligned on where we are going as a team and as a company.

Quarterly Bingo

We also tried something new during the meeting: Quarterly Bingo.

We built a bingo card with the classic things that always happen during a quarterly meeting. People started spotting moments as they happened, laughing along the way and occasionally “helping” certain squares happen on purpose just to move the game forward.

It brought a lighter energy to the session and made the meeting even more memorable.

A Surprise Evening with João Blümel

That evening, we had a surprise performance by João Blümel, a Portuguese entertainer and mind-reader.

His show mixes psychology, magic, body language and intuition, and he adapted it brilliantly to our context as a tech product company. It turned into a room full of laughs, disbelief and more than a few “how did he know that?” moments.

There were real jaw-dropping moments, the kind that leave the room half laughing and half trying to figure out how any of it was possible.

Climbing into the Second Day

The next morning, we started the day with a climbing class at the hotel.

With climbing being such a big part of the Dolinas experience, we had to give it a go. It quickly became one of the most energizing moments of the Kick-Off.

People got competitive fast, kept pushing for “one more try” and genuinely surprised themselves. A special shout-out to Cristina Gordo, Tomás Nini and Gonçalo Lucas for taking on one of the highest walls.

Exploring Mira de Aire Caves

After a delicious lunch at the hotel, we headed out for our next team activity: a visit to the Mira de Aire Caves.

With a guide leading the way, we explored the caves while learning more about the site through explanations and curiosities shared along the route.

The visit ended with a photo exhibition on speleology in Portugal, followed by a display of rocks, minerals and gems. It was a great way to round off the experience and appreciate the region from a different perspective.

Dinner at Burro Velho

To close out the second day, we headed to Burro Velho, a local restaurant set near the Mosteiro da Batalha.

It was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the evening together, with great food, good conversation and a warm atmosphere.

A Slower Final Morning

On the last day, we kept things simple.

Some of us took a scenic walk or run around town, enjoying the slower pace of Porto de Mós, while others chose a quieter reset with a relaxing massage.

It was a calm and easy way to close three intense but energizing days together.

Final Thoughts

We are back now feeling recharged and aligned, with clearer priorities and renewed energy for what is ahead.

Now it is time to bring that momentum into the next months and make 2026 an even stronger year for our company, our products, our clients and the team that makes it all happen.

Want to know more about the people and culture behind Focus BC?