João Fernandes | Builder & Operator

About me

Portuguese, based in Lisbon, constantly traveling. I've spent the last 4+ years building at early-stage startups, from BD and partnerships to building products with AI tooling. I'm the person who shows up early and figures out how to make things actually work, whether that's a partner pipeline, an internal tool, or a full product.

I'm proactive and self-sufficient. Give me a problem and I'll figure out the systems, the product, and the story without waiting for someone to hand me a playbook. I work well on my own and I work well across teams.

How I work

I build the machine, not just the relationships

I don't just send DMs and close deals. I set up the CRM, design the points program, build the Discord, create the partner pack, write the deck, vibecode the app, and coordinate the launch event. Then I do the BD on top of that.

I translate complex into simple

Most of the projects I've worked on had deeply technical products. MPC custody, Bitcoin interoperability, satellite infrastructure. My job was turning that into something a partner, LP, or user could actually understand and act on.

I move fast and I build tools to move faster

I vibecode internal tools, build AI workflows for research and outreach, automate ops with whatever's available. If there's a faster way to do something, I'll find it or build it.

What I'm building

Projects I'm building right now.

ObraXRAY

Founder

Contractor risk verification platform for Portugal. Crosses 6 official databases and runs 13 automated checks on any construction company, generating a risk score from 0 to 100 in seconds. Built with AI tooling by me and my brother.

Website X

Satelyx

Founding Member

Space tech startup built with colleagues, no funding, building in public. I use AI as the multiplier, building agentic workflows and internal tools so a small team can operate way above its weight.

Website X

Previously: Native (BTCFi on Sui), Rollux (Bitcoin L2), Syscoin (Bitcoin L1). Full history on my CV

Outside of work

Most of my free time goes to AI. I explore every new tool, vibecode apps and websites, build agentic workflows, and try to understand whatever's cutting edge before everyone else catches up. I pay too much for Claude Max and I use it all day. Building, research, thinking. I genuinely believe this stuff changes how small teams compete, and I want to be the person who knows how to use it best.

Gaming has always been my go-to outside of work. FPS games, handhelds, casual stuff with friends. I still love it, but lately AI has taken over most of that time. These days I'd rather spend a Sunday building something than grinding ranked. Still a gamer at heart though, just one who's building instead of playing.

I like technically interesting products that are communicated simply. If you're building something weird and early, I probably want to hear about it.