I take fuzzy ideas to shipped products, fast, using AI agents.

I'm a product builder for early-stage teams, with 10+ years in payments and fintech, from startups to a global bank. I write a spec clear enough to build from, let AI agents generate, verify every change, and ship. Then I write about what I learned.

Recent builds: PavingOS, a vertical SaaS platform built in 48 hours, and a multi-agent operations system I built on OpenClaw, ran on Mac Minis at the Charlotte coworking space I run, and retired in early August 2026. The through-line is building things that actually work — and being honest about what doesn't.

Looking for my next team. I want a hands-on product role at an early-stage company: strategy, prototyping and shipping.

Let's talk →Or hire my studio →

Latest Writing

On systems, leadership, and building with AI.

Human in the Middle

Why the version of my agent system that looked like a step backward is the one I can actually improve.

The Platform Is the Product

Capital One didn't pay $5 billion for a card. They paid $5 billion for a platform. On commodity traps, strategic underinvestment, and why the platform is the moat.

What Building with Agentic Teams Changes

Once execution stopped being the constraint, the real bottleneck came into focus. On ambiguity as the most dangerous thing in the system.

First Contact: A Real Workflow, an Agentic Team, and a Working System

A 48-hour build of a vertical SaaS platform. Not a concept deck — a functioning system with real data models, real workflows, and real lessons about intent.

The Reality of Mental Health and Startups

Entrepreneurs are 50% more likely to report mental health conditions. On killing "fake it till you make it" and vulnerability as a muscle.
All writing →
From the Lab

Things I've built, broken, and learned from.

Artifact

Daily Intelligence Briefing

A React artifact that pulls and synthesizes news across AI, fintech, and product. Built because I liked the concept of a daily briefing but wanted my own.

System

Alfred on OpenClaw: Built, Run, Retired

How a multi-agent system I built on OpenClaw ran real business operations: Alfred orchestrated, Monitor watched, Drafting generated. I retired it in early August 2026, when maintenance outweighed the value and better off-the-shelf agents arrived.

Case Study

PavingOS

A vertical SaaS platform built in 48 hours over a holiday break. The case study for what happens when intent becomes executable.

Explore the lab →
Currently

What I'm working on right now.

Looking for my next team — a hands-on product role at an early-stage company
Running Tabbris — the Charlotte coworking and event space for builders and founders, as Executive Director
Running FriendTech Ventures — a product and AI studio in Charlotte
Designing Chief of Staff — my self-hosted multi-agent orchestrator, successor to the system I built on OpenClaw
Advising RevTech Labs — Charlotte's fintech accelerator
Hosting RiskCast — a podcast about what's actually working with AI

Get in touch.

Product builder for early-stage teams. Payments, fintech and AI agents. Charlotte, NC, and open to remote.

stefan@friendtechventures.com LinkedIn