Services
$280 / month
Start free, decide later
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1
Free 7-day trial
No charge until day 7. Cancel anytime. -
2
Ongoing calls + chat
2 × 45-min calls per month, unlimited Q&A. Replies in 24 hours or less. -
3
No lock-in
Month to month, no contract.
MentorCruise summary
Rui is the CEO of Build Up Labs, a startup incubator. He has more than two decades of experience as a software engineer, entrepreneur, and investor, and has built, scaled, and advised ventures across multiple industries. He helps founders validate ideas, make strategic decisions, and plan startup growth.
Based on 23 verified mentee reviews
- Reviewers often praise his practical guidance on validating ideas and finding early customers.
- Mentees value the roadmaps, tools, and resources he provides for moving their startups forward.
- Several reviewers describe his thoughtful listening, warm support, and encouragement during difficult parts of building a business.
About
Serial Entrepreneur | Startup Mentor | Angel Investor | Strategic Advisor
With over two decades of experience as a software engineer, entrepreneur, and investor, I’ve built, scaled, and advised ventures across multiple industries. Today, my mission is to empower entrepreneurs and CEOs to turn bold ideas into thriving businesses.
As the CEO of Build Up Lab — a venture studio and startup incubator — I work hands-on with international startups at every stage of their journey, providing strategic guidance, actionable feedback, and the network they need to succeed. I also lead innovation initiatives as Chief Innovation Officer at comOn, a digital marketing agency.
Beyond my own ventures, I serve as a mentor for leading entrepreneurial programs, including:
- Founder Institute
- EIC Women Leadership Programme
- Startupbootcamp
- Demium
- Santander X
What I bring to the table:
- Honest, constructive feedback tailored to your goals
- Strategic vision and product-market fit expertise
- A strong global network across tech and startup ecosystems
- An empathy-driven, active listening approach
- Deep experience in digital transformation and scaling operations
If you’re a driven founder seeking guidance, clarity, and momentum — I’m here to help you navigate challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and unlock your venture’s potential.
What mentees say
5 out of 5 stars
Rui's wisdom was instrumental to optimizing my team's focus, composition and milestones. Couldn't be happier with a mentor.
Andrey
Standard Plan • 1 month
5 out of 5 stars
Rui is incredible. So thorough, thoughtful, and intelligent. I have had an amazing experience with him and would recommend him to anyone. Just who I was looking for!
Scott
Standard Plan • 5 months
5 out of 5 stars
Working with Rui was amazing. He was always a great and helping mentor. He taught me all the things I was doing wrong and helped me find a new direction that I was looking for. I would 100 % recommend Rui mentorship to everyone who is working in saas industry or looking to find some niche industry to work in.
Samarth
Standard Plan • 2 months
What happens when you start
You tell Rui your goals. They see exactly what you want to work on before session one.
You meet within days. Rui reviews your application and books your first session, usually within a day or two.
You leave with a plan. Concrete next steps and a weekly rhythm from your very first week.
