Má

People person & manager. Tech & Business enthusiast. Pop culture lover.

[Fanbrizio_Romono @FanbrizioRomono]

Over 22 years of living Ive never seen football fans as loud and supportive as Benfica fans, not even Barcelona fans are up there on their level. Benfiquistas are amazing ❤️

[@levelsio @levelsio]

It's been about a year ago since I launched a site called 🇵🇹 Only In Portugal to journal the crazy issues we've experienced as foreigners moving to Portugal with both governments agencies and businesses here, most of them quite Kafka-esque in nature

Of course everyone's reaction is "why don't you leave?"

But it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, which has incredible potential

And it's nicer to fix things, and while complaining about things doesn't make you popular (I've received many death threats), it is oddly effective if you do it in the public sphere:

Collectively complaining about things, as we've seen with Google (they stopped self-sabotaging and are now the leader in AI), the European Union (they are passing laws based on @euacc points), and even Apple (Tim Cook finally quit), does fix things, eventually!

So I'm trying the same with Portugal

I feel AI governance has a lot of potential, AI can be quite a neutral party that can look at issues and find solutions in a very pragmatic and non-partisan way

So I've asked AI to analyze over 300 issues, stories and experiences submitted to my site in the last 12 months, and write an deep analysis report how to fix Portugal in the next 5 years: every argument it makes is based on real experiences from real people , so no AI hallucinations

AI believes all issues here are based on 5 core problems:
- The Portuguese government is too expensive and too slow to interact with
- There aren't enough skilled workers and no incentive to become one
- There is zero accountability anywhere in the system
- Technology adoption is 15–20 years behind
- The tax system punishes productive people and rewards evasion

(P.S. of course many of Portugal's issues are a microcosm of Europe's macro issues)

AI then created a 5-Year Action Plan to solve it:

YEAR 1 — Shock Therapy
1.1 Flatten the Tax System
1.2 Nuke the Immigration Agency, Build a Digital Replacement
1.3 Gut the Public Sector Bureaucracy
1.4 The Accountability Law

YEAR 2 — Infrastructure Blitz
2.1 Lisbon Airport
2.2 Digital Infrastructure
2.3 Healthcare Triage

YEAR 3 — Culture Shift
3.1 Skilled Trades Academy
3.2 Animal Welfare & Noise Enforcement
3.3 Court Reform

YEAR 4 — Economic Acceleration
4.1 Housing
4.2 Transport
4.3 Consumer Protection

YEAR 5 — Consolidation
5.1 Measure Everything
5.2 Cultural Campaigns
5.3 The Exit Metric

Of course the next challenge is how do you get this to politicians, but we did this with @euacc before, so we can surely do it in Portugal too!

You can read the full action plan in the reply below!

[@levelsio @levelsio]

🇵🇹 If you have ever dealt with any Portuguese business (and I have with many in my 5 years here) you know why

Portuguese in Portugal simply do not care about work, some foreigners find that refreshing, but it results in a country where you can't find anyone to do work because nobody wants to work

And when they do work, the work is generally bad, like imagine stepping into a time machine back to 1970s bad, they also can't follow the spec you agreed upon beforehand, and then when it's 60% done they disappear and ghost you

When we did home renovatiom, you hire ppl, they arrive late at 9am (you agreed 8am), they then drive away to get materials, come back 11am, do actual work for an hour, then at 12noon announce they go for lunch, come back around 2.30pm, walk around a bit, do some work, and then leave early at 4pm

It's not just construction workers, it's almost every interaction you have here with a Portuguese business, the quality is just low, the service non-existent or customer-hostile, and it's not the language, I speak fluent Portuguese, I'm respectful and friendly which is why I never ever had this amount of issues elsewhere in the world

And I know it's not just my experience, it's everyone I know here, even Portuguese complain about Portuguese!

It's not completely their fault though, the hostile tax system for both people and businesses literally gives you an incentive to never ever scale your business beyond I believe around €150,000/year, because you end up in a completely different category and tax tier that decimates you with more taxes and more bookkeeping

So every business tries to stay small, and doesn't want more customers (how many times have I walked into a Portuguese cafe or shop and the staff or owner *sighed* "not another customer")

Add decades of socialist governments that hand out free money to 50% of the country (and even the right wing parties here are socialist btw, they have to be or they don't get votes) and you don't have any incentive to work left

Why work when you don't need to work?

The majority of the young smart Portuguese people with actual ambitions understandably move elsewhere, because if there's no incentive to grow a business, there's also no jobs for them, and the whole thing becomes a vicious cycle of increasing poverty

Which is why I said Portuguese in Portugal at the beginning of this tweet, because Portuguese outside of Portugal are ambitious, want to work, want to improve their lives!

Bringing in lots of foreigners like me by the government as a way to pump money into the system, we spend a lot and it pays for the welfare, healthcare and retirements of Portuguese now, but it's not a structural solution (and we also instantly became the scapegoat for the government's decades of mismanagement)

It'd be relatively easy to fix this though if people in Portugal would put on their thinking hat:

💡 Make Portugal a great place to start and run a business, model yourself after Singapore but with extremely low taxes (maybe 5-10%) for companies/startups and make it easy for them to hire (and fire) people, the money you lose in taxes you will get back in increased economic activity over time (but it will hurt for a little bit)

Because even the foreigners who move here and start businesses get caught up in the reverse incentive spiral of Portugal:

Why even work?

[Spaceship @spaceship]

End of the year means looking back.

Through the eyes of our teams – the moments, ideas, and achievements that shaped Spaceship this year.

The year we built together 💙🚀

[Spaceship @spaceship]

So, we did it💪
Just hit 6 million domains under management, growing from ~2M to 6M in a year.
Thanks for the trust.
Onwards 🚀

[Richard Kirkendall @namecheapceo123]

Ho hum, Just another million added to end the year. The ultimate validation of what our team built is great. Thanks to all our customers for your support. 🚀

[Hillan Klein @NamecheapCEO]

Twelve years ago, shortly after Rick asked me to join Namecheap, I had a strong sense I was stepping into something special — a leader, a team, and a company deeply committed to giving customers the best experience and the most value possible. Not because it was easy, but because it’s what our customers deserve, and it’s who we are.

I couldn’t be prouder of what Rick, our incredible team, and I have built together — staying true to our customers, our people, and our values. Rick’s leadership has shaped Namecheap, and later Spaceship, in lasting ways, and I’m deeply grateful for his trust, partnership, and everything I’ve learned from him over the years. As anyone who follows him here on X knows, Rick leads with humility, authenticity, and a deep respect for what makes Namecheap, Namecheap.

Looking ahead, that won’t change. My focus is clear: stay true to what makes us us, keep customers at the center of every decision, and continue building products that earn their trust every single day.

I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come and will be working every day to ensure we continue delivering an exceptional experience, real value, and a company that Rick, our team, and our customers are proud to be part of.

Let’s go!

[Richard Kirkendall @namecheapceo123]

Hey everyone — I’ve seen a few of you wondering why I updated my handle. I’m in the middle of transitioning to a new one.

Why the change?

As part of the sale to our partners at CVC, I decided early on that I did not want to remain CEO. I’ve led this company for more than 25 years of my life, and it felt like the right time to take a step back.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for most of my adult life, and frankly, I’m a bit of a rebel — I’m just not built to report upward.

That said, when I made this decision, I strongly recommended that my longtime partner on this journey, Hillan Klein, who has been our COO for the last 12 years, step into the CEO role. He’s been an exceptional partner and leader, and I have absolute confidence in his ability to take the company to the next level. He’s also deeply part of our DNA, which mattered a lot to me.

So what will I do?

I’m not fading into the sunset. I still love this company, and I’m still the largest private individual shareholder — so I care deeply about what happens next.

My focus will be on our customers and on continuing to build our products alongside our engineering and product teams. As Chief of Strategy and Innovation, I’ll also continue working closely with Hillan on defining our future path and growth.

I’m especially focused on accelerating the momentum we’ve started with Spaceship, and applying those learnings and technologies to Namecheap so our flagship continues to thrive.

I’ll still be here — just in a better place for me, doing what I love most: building, and staying as close as possible to our customers.

Onwards and upwards. 🚀

[Spaceship @spaceship]

cPanel can now be purchased and managed directly inside Starlight™ Manager, which means:

🔹 No need for external vendors or separate billing
🔹 Easy setup once the cPanel package is installed

Read the full feature announcement in our release notes: https://t.co/LYrDjqY0Sj

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Over 5 million domains added to SellerHub. More than 2,300 sold.
That’s a lot of movement. And also, a lot of names are still waiting.

We’ve already explored how pricing impacts sales.
But what else hides behind a successful domain sale?

Is it the name itself, luck, pure skill, or maybe all of them combined?

We looked deeper into domain selling strategies: when they work, what tends to hold them back, and the patterns we keep seeing 👇

☑️ Landing page that converts
When and why it works: when the name already gets some type-in traffic or feels brandable. A clean sale page with clear messaging and pricing options builds instant trust.
What can hold it back: cluttered, outdated design, unclear pricing.

☑️ Developing a simple site for the domain
When and why it works: when the name has clear potential – a niche keyword or strong brand idea. Even a one-page site built with AI tools can help buyers visualize how it could work as a business or product.
What can hold it back: investing too much time. The goal is to show potential, not to run a project.

☑️ Targeted outreach
When and why it works: ideal for names that naturally fit certain companies – for example, businesses using the keyword, operating in the niche, or running something similar. Short, personalized messages that show why the name makes sense for them often open doors.
What can hold it back: mass emails, templates, or pushy tone. Outreach works when it feels researched and human.

☑️ Brandable marketplaces
When and why it works: perfect for creative, short, or emotional names. Marketplaces, including the Brand Store we are building, add logos and storytelling that help buyers see a ready-made brand.
What can hold it back: keyword-heavy, long, or confusing names. They rarely fit brandable platforms.

☑️ Community and visibility
When and why it works: engaging in domain discussions, sharing insights, and being active in places like X or NamePros builds recognition. Over time, people associate you with quality and reach out naturally.
What can hold it back: showing up only to promote. Conversations build reputation; promotion alone rarely does.

☑️ Brokers for premium names
When and why it works: when the domain has clear brand weight and genuinely high-value potential. Brokers bring networks, negotiation skills, and trust.
What can hold it back: handing out average names. The commission structure only really makes sense when the domain’s upside matches the effort.

There is no single formula.
Most successful sales come from a mix of visibility, timing, and patience.

Domains tend to sell when they’re seen, understood, and offered at the right moment.
Agree? – 🩵

What else would you add to the list?

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Updates to SellerHub: External API support🚀

We’ve heard from you that an API for SellerHub listings would make things easier, so we built it.

Available now:
• Get your domains list
• List new domains
• Check details of listed domains
• Update or delete listings
• Get verification records
API documentation: https://t.co/J95GwKiEJ5

Always great to shape SellerHub together💙

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Starlight™ Cloud is expanding 🚀
We’ve added Starlight Volumes – independent block storage that makes cloud VMs more flexible and scalable.

Built for developers, creators, and builders who need their data to move and grow with them.

A quick dive into Volumes:

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Spacemail is now just a tap away📱
Available on iOS and Android. Smooth, secure, always in sync.

iOS: https://t.co/e3B53QyLH3
Android: https://t.co/aMu7BPQLYn

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Fresh SellerHub updates🚀
• You can now set LTO in bulk right inside SellerHub Manager
Head to Settings, add your presets and apply them to the domains you select.
These settings will also be applied automatically to all new and reimported domains.

• PayPal fees are now on us, so your SellerHub payouts no longer include extra PayPal charges

Thanks for the feedback that helped shape this🤝

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Spaceship keeps shipping 🚀 Here’s a snapshot of the highlights from the past three months and what’s coming next:
🔹Progressed with External API – it’s now possible to check domain availability, register, transfer, renew and restore names, save extended attributes for ccTLDs, and set auto-renew.
🔹Next up for External API – adding more options tailored for SellerHub.
🔹Alf keeps evolving – on top of brainstorming names, ordering, connecting products and helping with questions, Alf can now build whole websites directly from prompts.
🔹Spacemail app – submitted to the Play Store and App Store for review.
🔹More payment flexibility – Plaid is now available as an additional payment method.
🔹Partial website migration – it’s now possible to choose between full or partial migration, depending on what works best for a particular case.
🔹Thunderbolt Networks – taking the first steps toward this new way to organise communication spaces.

✨ Looking ahead, the key priorities are refining SellerHub based on your requests, developing the Brand Store to open up more possibilities, continuing to mature Alf’s website-building skills, and much more.
And as always – if there’s something you haven’t shared yet (as everything you shared is carefully recorded) – let us know💬
We’re here, and we’re listening

[Richard Kirkendall @namecheapceo123]

Some recent sales(many more large private sales) on Spaceship.
Bonus: saved $226,250 usd on commissions! 🚀💰📈

mayan com - 300k usd

odds ai - 110k usd

specs ai - 85k usd

soulmate ai -80k usd

cursive ai - 70k usd

gandalf ai - 65k usd

righthand ai - 55k usd

wrangle ai - 50k usd

courtroom ai - 45k usd

specific ai - 45k usd

[Richard Kirkendall @namecheapceo123]

I thought I'd share some updates from the Spaceship Sellerhub team(word for word):

Hey guys! It has been a while, so I wanted to provide updates on the SellerHub process.

Here is the list of the new features available on SellerHub within the last few weeks:

- It is possible to set up LTO during CSV import

Our Sellers can configure their LTO while importing/updating domains via a CSV file. Do it so, they need to specify the LTO duration and downpayment % fields there (BIN will be treated as the Full price of the LTO in this case)

- Buyers can pay for the next installments before the auto-renewal period.

Buyers can now pay for the LTO domains upfront and more flexibly from their BuyerHub account.

Just to be clear, it doesn't replace the option to let the Buyers pay off their LTOs in advance, and there is still smth we have on our plate to be solved. This option allows you to pay for one period at a time, which is not that convenient to pay off the entire LTO term, but is a better temporary solution till we get to the proper pay off early feature.

- Sellers can set up their payout information

To remove some hustle during the selling process, we now let Sellers specify where they'd like to receive their payouts without having to discuss it with CS agents after every sale.

- Mobile view improvements

We have started iterating on improvements for our mobile customers as well. Lots have been improved within the Domains tab, and we want to keep incrementing improving throughout the rest of the flow.

- External API progress

This is one of the top-requested features that we are currently working on:

- getSellerHubDomain is already available for use , and getSellerHubDomainList and deleteSellerHubDomain should be available tomorrow
-createSellerHubDomain and updateSellerHubDomain endpoints are in development as well, and we expect to push them live asap too.

These are just the first iterations to establish the external API flows, but we have plenty of customers who are willing to test it out and share their feedback once we have the endpoints ready.

- Account settings - LTO

Today, we have released another improvement for the LTO setup. Based on the discussions we had with our customers, not everyone is keen on updating their portfolios via CSV, and we believe it should help such customers with the bulk LTO management.

Now they can set up the price ranges of their domains and the desired LTO terms depending on those ranges. If configured, these settings will be applied to the domain during the import process. However, if the CSV file you are importing has some LTO set up, the file configuration will take priority over the account settings (so that we don't break the flow for our CSV-loving customers).

There are still a few smaller bugs that we plan to fix tomorrow, but the feature is still available to the Sellers.

We believe it will help us with the bulk LTO updates, which we want to iterate on next.
________________________________________________________________________

On the not-so-amazing news: one of the most common issues our customers face these days is having issues with adding domains for sale when a domain already exists in another Spaceship account. It commonly happens when domains are sold on other platforms, for instance.

Together with our Domains Pod we have been discussing the possible solution to this problem and aim to solve it shortly.

[Spaceship @spaceship]

No timers, no tricks.

Choose fair domain prices and real deals: every day.

Ignore the Black Friday noise, save smarter with Spaceship.

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Spaceship team @WebSummit 💙🚀

[Spaceship @spaceship]

Bye Miami, next stop – @WebSummit 🚀