ThoughtfulBits Consulting · Kirkland, WA
AI-driven turnarounds for software companies.
I help PE-backed software companies set AI product strategy, improve operations, and ship software.
- Board AssistPrepare for board meetings and capture follow-ups.
- Interview CopilotPrepare for interviews using your calendar and Notion notes.
- Voice DeskPrepare daily and weekly writing drafts for you to review and publish.
- Morning BriefCombine your calendar, priority email, and other bots’ updates in a weekday morning brief.
- Knowledge VaultBuild and search a wiki in Dropbox from sources you approve.
Grok bots for one-company competitive intel, board prep, interviews, writing, morning briefs, and approved knowledge sources. Start with Company Tracker or choose an executive helper. Explore Grok Bots
Writing & video
ThoughtfulBits: Ideas that Matter
Thoughts on technology and business from Alex Gounares, Bill Gates' former Technology Advisor.
Practice areas
What I do
01
AI product strategy
Product roadmaps and positioning for software companies adapting to AI.
02
Operating leverage
AI adoption across engineering, sales, marketing, and back-office teams to reduce costs and improve delivery.
03
Hands-on execution
Technical architecture, executive recruiting, and sales support.
“I still write and ship code every day.”
Engagements
Current work
Luminate Capital
Innovation Partner
Board and operating-partner roles across eight software portfolio companies — every one now has AI-native product initiatives and broad internal AI adoption underway.
2024 — Present
Tailored AI
Chief Executive Officer
Building the Simple family of AI products for email, executive intelligence, and decision simulation.
I work with boards and operating teams on strategy and implementation.
Operating history
Track record
2012 — 2024
Polyverse Corporation — Founder & CEO
Cybersecurity company built on polymorphic defense. $10M+ cumulative revenue, sold to U.S. Government customers, including a NAVSEA SBIR Phase III — a parent program valued at up to $154M.
2010 — 2012
AOL — Executive Vice President & CTO
Led global engineering, IT, and technology operations for the $2.2B public company, managing a 1,300+ person global workforce through AOL's post-spin turnaround.
1993 — 2010
Microsoft — Corporate Vice President
Online Services Division CTO across Bing, MSN, and Microsoft Advertising; Technology Advisor to Bill Gates. Led 1,300+ engineers building platforms supporting $2.5B+ in annual revenue, and served as a key executive on 14+ acquisitions totaling $7B+.
Early career
Beginnings — Founder & researcher
Founded a grid-computing startup; worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Princeton University, BSE Computer Science, cum laude, 1993.
- 200+ U.S. patents issued/pending
- Princeton BSE CS · cum laude
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- 30+ years building
Tools
AI tools
ChatGPT, Codex, Claude & skills.sh
ThoughtfulBits Skills
Six free skills to edit social posts, test interfaces, review products and plans, and audit board decks. Install for ChatGPT Work, Codex, Claude Desktop, or compatible agents through skills.sh.
v1.4.0 · Six skills · MIT-licensed
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Contact