Singapore
Hi, I’m Ishwar.
I build AI systems and help companies run product well.
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 did real product-management work: watching metrics and support queues, investigating anomalies, and briefing 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 AI models underneath were improving so fast that a layer on top stopped being a durable business. The company stopped; the building didn’t.
These days I build AI systems daily and advise companies on product — the details are below. Or just write to me at hey@ishwar.io; a few lines about what you’re working on 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 at a typical ACV of $50k+, 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.
Hands-on AI builds
A scoped engagement, typically two to six weeks, that ends with a working system inside your stack and a short memo on what to build next — not a slide deck. I build it alongside your team so they can run it without me. Useful when you’ve decided AI matters but nobody owns making it real.
Fractional CPO / VP of Product
I join as your CPO or VP of Product for 1–2 days a week: roadmap, product decisions, raising the team’s bar, and being the senior product voice in the room. Three-month minimum. Anything shorter and you’re paying for onboarding.
PM mentorship and hiring
For individuals: ongoing 1:1s on career strategy, promotion cases, and moving into AI product work. I’ve mentored PMs at Google, data scientists, and senior engineers through these transitions. For companies: designing interview loops, calibrating your bar, and sitting in on the interviews that matter for your first or next product hire.
Exceptional full-time roles
For the right team and the right problem, I’m open to going all-in. If you think that’s you, say so when you write.
to hire me
You need a full-time executive now.
Fractional is a bridge, not a substitute. If you’re past the point where it works, I’ll say so and help you make the hire — or see 04 above.
You want a strategy document without the intent to ship anything.
I’m the wrong person for slideware.
You’re looking for validation of a decision you’ve already made.
I’m most useful when you want pushback.
The first conversation is free and 30 minutes. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll usually know someone who is.
Start a conversation →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.