Lisbon · Operator, builder, advisor
Helping product teams stay relevant in the age of AI.
I'm João. I run Product Circle, co-founded Kairos, build adjacent ventures, and support early-stage founders working in product, AI, and community.
I'm João. I run Product Circle, co-founded Kairos, build adjacent ventures, and support early-stage founders working in product, AI, and community.
Through Kairos, we help product teams turn AI from threat into structural advantage. Not workshops or theory. Applied transformation, with operators who have been there.
Discover Kairos →I advise and invest in early-stage startups at the intersection of product, AI, and community. If you're building something that fits, I read every cold email.
Pitch me →I speak on AI in product development, building communities at scale, and the future of product leadership. Past appearances and topics on the speaking page.
See speaking →Most of what I think is published. Subscribe to the newsletter, listen to the podcast, read the writing below. Self-serve depth without needing a meeting.
Browse →I trained as an aerospace engineer and spent my early years organising international student programs across Europe through BEST. That community work shaped how I think about everything I've built since.
I moved into product at Landing.Jobs, then worked at Product People, alongside great companies and learning fast. I also started and hosted Product People Podcast there, which is still live today. In 2023, I quit to focus 100% on creating my own company and growing the product community. Along the way I got obsessed with one question: what makes some product organisations stay relevant while others stall?
Today I run Product Circle, co-founded Kairos to help companies build AI-native operating models, run adjacent ventures, and back founders. Different surfaces, same thesis.
“I really appreciate the feedback you gave me. Even though it wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear, it was absolutely necessary.”
Susana Silva · Product Manager, Automaise
After attending Product Circle · translated from Portuguese
“I was impressed by João's openness to feedback and willingness to learn, as well as a strong desire to help our client succeed.”
Staci Chen · Chief of Staff, Ratepay
“I can confidently say that he is one of the most self-driven and organized professionals I have ever met. His ambition is truly remarkable and I have no doubt that it will take him to very high flights in his career.”
André Marquet · Founder, Productized
“It was easy to see he's a very intelligent lad, with a knack for experiences and purpose. I totally vouch for João because he'll want to get it right, to learn, to evolve, and he has all the mind tools to do it.”
Pedro Moura · Executive Partner, Mapidea
“Your session on AI workflows was one of the reasons I signed up for the next edition. It definitely paid off.”
Caio Arruda · Product Director, SIXT
After attending Product Circle · translated from Portuguese
“Product Circle made the difference for me — as encouragement, as motivation to keep going. On a path that was genuinely hard, that mattered.”
Ana Marques · Product Owner, Blip
After 4 Product Circle events · translated from Portuguese
Notes and essays on AI, product, and operating in messy real-world teams.
Read the blog →The current talk, past venues, and the quickest way to invite me to your event.
See speaking →Long-form thinking on AI, product leadership, and the operator life. Posted weekly-ish.
Follow on LinkedIn →I produce one of the longest-running product management podcasts. Episodes feature some of the strongest voices in the field.
Listen on Spotify →