Singapore
Hi, I’m Ishwar.
I lead product teams and build AI systems.
I was a Lead PM at Google, where I worked on growing engagement for Google Maps. I left in 2024 to start ThriveAI. We raised a $1.2M pre-seed led by 500 Global and built AI agents that watched metrics and support queues, investigated anomalies, and briefed product teams in Slack. At peak they analyzed 200,000+ product signals a day for teams ranging from scaleups to Fortune 100 pilots.
We wound ThriveAI down in 2026 and returned capital to our investors. The underlying models were improving quickly enough that the layer we had built no longer looked like a durable business.
Now I build AI systems and work with companies on product. Some of that work is below. If you think there’s something we should talk about, write to me at hey@ishwar.io; a few lines is plenty.
Twelve years building product, in three acts.
ThriveAI
Co-founder and CEO. Oversubscribed $1.2M pre-seed led by 500 Global, with Iterative and Hustle Fund. 500+ product executives signed up at launch; we converted that into enterprise contracts, including Fortune 100 pilots.
Lead PM on Google Maps, focused on engagement, working from Singapore, Japan, and the UK. Maps has over 2 billion users; I learned what product rigor looks like when small percentages are very large numbers.
Southeast Asia, before that
VP of Mobile Products & Engineering at Funding Societies, the region’s largest SME lending platform. Co-founded MyRent, a rental marketplace. Started as an engineer at Paktor, then Asia’s largest dating app. I trained as an engineer and never really stopped being one.
Product leadership
I’ve led product from early-stage startups to Google Maps. I can join a team or work alongside one on product direction, difficult trade-offs, and building the team around the work.
Building AI systems
I design and build AI systems inside existing products and workflows. For focused engagements, I work alongside the team and leave them with a system they can run.
Product hiring and mentoring
I help companies define the role, calibrate the bar, and interview their first or next product leader. I also mentor product managers and technical leaders moving into product work.
with me
“It’s incredibly rare to encounter a product lead who combines deep technical skills from an engineering background with a keen interest in craft and UX. His superpower is quickly figuring out what a product needs and resourcefully making it happen.”
“He’s great at spotting talent and helping it grow. He’s played a significant role in my career — giving advice, pushing me with new and challenging tasks, and always being there to discuss wins and challenges.”
More recommendations on LinkedIn.