João Fernandes
Crypto BD & Startup Operator
I join early-stage projects before the playbook exists and build what's needed from zero.
Crypto BD & Startup Operator
I join early-stage projects before the playbook exists and build what's needed from zero.
Portuguese, based in Lisbon, constantly traveling. I've spent the last 3+ years in crypto. Not as a dev, not as a trader, but as the person who shows up early and figures out how to make a project actually work. BD, partnerships, community, ops, events, decks, programs. Whatever needs doing.
Every project I've joined, I was either the first BD hire or one of the first people in the room. I like it that way. I'm at my best when nothing exists yet and someone needs to build the systems, the pipeline, and the story from scratch. My last project entered a transitional period, but the work speaks for itself.
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, and coordinate the launch event. Then I do the BD on top of that.
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 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.
Early-stage projects I'm part of. No funding yet, building in public.
BD Operator · Key Member
Protected crowdfunding on Sui. Reversible raises where backers keep control until milestones are met.
Previously: Native (BTCFi on Sui), Rollux (Bitcoin L2), Syscoin (Bitcoin L1). Full history on my CV
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.