Nelson Costa is an Engineering Manager, Tech Lead and Product Strategist with 16+ years building digital products in EdTech, SaaS, AI and Travel. He built an IT department from scratch at a Mercedes-Benz group and AI-powered products used across 120+ countries, turning complex business problems into scalable systems.
Engineering manager and product leader: founds and scales SaaS and AI products, leads and mentors engineering teams, and ships products end to end — from strategy to production.
I have had the privilege of working with Nelson as my Tech Lead, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Nelson embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader — calm, understanding, and genuinely empathetic, whether navigating complex technical challenges or supporting team members through personal matters. Denis Abonda, Fullstack Developer — reported to Nelson
Nelson is not only a strong CTO with extensive experience in SaaS architecture and AI-driven solutions, but also a pragmatic leader who understands how technology must translate into real business value. Aneta Paciorek, FP&A · Business Analytics
He speaks English fluently and communicates effectively with people from different areas and seniority levels — senior tech teams, design, finance, and end clients. I highly recommend Nelson to any team looking for a committed, collaborative leader focused on delivering results. Rodrigo Ferreira, Software Engineer · Fullstack — reported to Nelson
I highly recommend Nelson Costa as an exceptional technology leader and manager. He has a deep understanding of customer pain points, an ability to translate them into technology solutions, and a remarkably pragmatic approach. An excellent listener who provides clear, actionable guidance. André Vinícius Campos Lucena, Product Manager & Entrepreneur — reported to Nelson
It was incredible to see how effortlessly he manages prioritization and backlog management while creating a safe, positive environment for the team. He makes the work feel easier, smoother, and more enjoyable. Truly a great professional and an even better teammate. Caio Barreto, Software Engineer @ Shippo — reported to Nelson
He is an exceptional leader. His organization skills, deep technical knowledge, and problem-solving abilities make every project run smoothly. He's great with clients, always professional, and often goes the extra mile. Truly a dedicated and inspiring manager. Felipe Escorel, Software Engineer at The Chaincademy — reported to Nelson
What I appreciate most was how involved he is. As a CTO, he stayed close to the product and the team, and even worked with the HR team to develop everyone. Esther Emmanuel, Talent Acquisition Specialist — reported to Nelson
Nelson is a focused, hard-working and tireless problem-solving professional. His extensive knowledge allows him to take a broader view of what people and the company really need. He is undoubtedly an outstanding professional. Valéria Silva, People Development Manager · Global IT L&D @ TUI Technology
A very proactive and professional IT leader, always approachable and a pleasure to work with. Rui Sampaio, Key Account Manager, Mercedes-Benz
Foi fundamental não só no desenvolvimento da nossa loja online, mas também em diversos outros projetos. Não só me ajudou a superar desafios técnicos, como também me ensinou imenso. A sua paciência, competência e generosidade fazem dele um parceiro de trabalho excecional. Sandra Conde, Central de Compras, Sociedade Comercial C. Santos
O Nelson tem a capacidade rara de elevar quem o rodeia. Está sempre à procura de melhorar processos, otimizar soluções e apoiar quem trabalha consigo, criando um ambiente onde todos se sentem mais capazes e motivados. Marta Leite, Advisor to the Administrative & Financial Director
O Nelson é daquelas pessoas raras que consegue ser incrivelmente focado e trabalhador sem perder o lado humano. É genuinamente bondoso e pragmático, e sabe sempre como pôr mãos à obra para ajudar quem o rodeia. Jorge Basto, Technical Support Specialist
Nelson Costa is an Engineering Manager, Tech Lead and Product Strategist based in Porto, Portugal, with 16+ years building SaaS and digital products in EdTech, AI and Travel.
He builds and scales engineering teams and SaaS products end to end — from architecture and AI integration to leading delivery. He is currently CTO at The Chaincademy and co-founder of Beetravel and Beecard.
Yes — he is open to Engineering Manager and technical leadership roles. You can reach him through the contact section of the site, LinkedIn or email (nelsonfilipecosta@gmail.com).
React, TypeScript, Node.js, PHP/Laravel, Python, Supabase and PocketBase, Google Cloud and Docker, plus AI tooling like Google Gemini and OpenAI.
AI-powered products used across 120+ countries, an IT development department built from scratch at one of Portugal's largest Mercedes-Benz groups, and 11+ personal products including The Chaincademy, Beetravel and Beecard.