I'm Alex.

Twala is my magnum opus, where I’ve experienced the full spectrum of the startup world as both a co-founder and CTO. In this role, I’ve overseen everything from R&D and software development to team and company management, gaining invaluable insights into what it takes to build and scale a business. I’ve led the development of pioneering solutions in digital identity verification and document intelligence, while managing cross-functional teams to execute complex projects. Beyond the technical side, I’ve immersed myself in the broader startup ecosystem—pitching to investors, participating in startup accelerators, and competing in startup competitions. I’ve learned the intricacies of VC funding, startup growth stages, and how to navigate the challenges of scaling a tech company. Interacting with a diverse range of customers and clients, from local businesses to international corporations, and even government entities, has further enriched my experience. This role has been a journey of constant growth, not only in terms of technical expertise but also in leadership, business strategy, and innovation.

As the Principal Software Engineer at AR Data Technologies, I lead R&D efforts in AI and blockchain technologies, driving the exploration and implementation of innovative solutions while managing high-value projects to ensure successful delivery aligned with strategic objectives. I mentor team members to foster a collaborative and growth-oriented environment and spearhead company-led boot camps to onboard and train new developers in AI and blockchain. My role includes architecting scalable, secure solutions, establishing technical standards, and collaborating with stakeholders to align business needs with technical execution.

As the Tech Lead at Publicity for Good, I lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, overseeing backend, frontend, design, QA, and DevOps, while also playing a key role in the management team. I drive strategic decisions, manage development processes, and lead R&D efforts. A major accomplishment was leading the development of SignalRaptor, an AI-powered SaaS platform for public relations. By implementing advanced technologies like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Large Language Models (LLM), I significantly improved the product’s ability to generate high-quality, tailored PR content for clients.

At Koneksi, a data platform built on privatized IPFS, I helped design and develop the entire backend ecosystem that empowers users to securely back up and manage their data locally. Koneksi is engineered for resilience against data loss, privacy breaches, and ransomware attacks by giving users full control over their files directly from their own machines. My contributions spanned the development of the Koneksi CLI, written in Rust for performance and safety, and the Koneksi Engine, built in Go to handle core orchestration, file management, and peer communication. Together, these tools form a decentralized yet private data layer, giving users enterprise-grade data protection without reliance on third-party cloud providers. This project brought together my passion for decentralized systems, privacy-first design, and low-level engineering.

At Chain Academy, an online learning platform focused on Web3, Blockchain, Decentralized Storage, and AI, I serve as a Technical Content Reviewer, ensuring the accuracy, clarity, and relevance of educational materials. My role involves reviewing and validating course content, from foundational concepts to advanced topics, to maintain high standards of technical rigor and accessibility. By combining my expertise in blockchain and AI with a passion for education, I help shape learning experiences that empower the next generation of builders in the decentralized tech space. This role also allows me to stay at the forefront of emerging trends while contributing to a broader mission of democratizing access to cutting-edge knowledge.

At Qubic, I led the development of Qubic.js, a robust JavaScript library designed to interface seamlessly with the Qubic blockchain. I also architected and built the Qubic Wallet/Connect, which featured cutting-edge integration with MetaMask Snap, bringing feeless Layer 1 blockchain access to everyday users. Qubic stands out as a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain powered by Useful Proof of Work (UPoW), offering instant finality, feeless transactions, and the world’s fastest smart contracts. It is also the first to integrate artificial neural networks on-chain—paving the way for breakthroughs in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This role allowed me to blend advanced cryptographic engineering with user-centric design, pushing the limits of blockchain usability and performance.

At Hauska, the first Web3 + AI platform built specifically for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, I led the design and integration of AI capabilities that bridge creativity and technology. My primary focus was embedding Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI image generation tools into the platform to assist architects, engineers, and designers in reimagining their visuals with ease. Users can upload sketches, blueprints, or reference images directly to the platform, and the AI intelligently enhances or redesigns them—suggesting layouts, improving aesthetics, or even generating entirely new concepts based on contextual prompts. I worked closely with both frontend and backend teams to ensure seamless user experience and high-performance rendering. This project not only showcased how AI can augment human design but also pushed the boundaries of what's possible in the AEC digital landscape.

As a Tech Lead at Web3 Philippines, a non-profit, developer-driven community, I am part of the core team working with domain experts passionate about shaping the future of blockchain innovation. My role involves fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among developers in the blockchain space, contributing to initiatives that drive blockchain technology forward, and supporting the growth of the blockchain ecosystem in the Philippines.

As a Software Engineer at Lilypad Network, I worked alongside the core team, including former Protocol Labs engineers, to develop a serverless, distributed compute network. Lilypad enabled internet-scale data processing, AI, machine learning, and other high-performance computations by unlocking idle processing power. My primary focus was on protocol-level development, specifically the rewards mechanism and proof-of-work submissions for resource provider nodes. I contributed to building a decentralized AI platform that harnessed distributed compute resources for high-performance tasks, including AI models like Stable Diffusion, helping to shape a new ecosystem for internet-scale computations.

As Co-founder and CTO of Vulcanic Labs, a tech consulting and solutions company specializing in blockchain projects, I led the entire engineering team across multiple client engagements. My role involved working closely with clients to define project roadmaps, budgets, and timelines, while also designing system infrastructures, databases, smart contracts, and processes tailored to their needs. I also spearheaded research and development efforts, with a focus on AI and blockchain technologies, driving innovation in the space and delivering cutting-edge solutions.

As the Blockchain & Backend Engineering Director at Polker, I led both the blockchain and backend engineering teams, driving technical decision-making in close collaboration with project stakeholders. I designed the server infrastructure, database architecture, and smart contract suite, while spearheading the development of the backend codebase. Additionally, I led the successful deployment of the project's token on both decentralized and centralized exchanges. My leadership extended to mentoring team members and overseeing the integration of various technologies, including payment gateways, oracles, and marketplaces, ensuring seamless interoperability within the platform.

At fastfwd, I contributed as a Senior Software Engineer to two distinct projects, each utilizing different technology stacks. One project centered on frontend development using React.js for an interior design platform, where I crafted dynamic and responsive user interfaces to enhance the user experience. The other project involved backend development using Laravel for an insurance company, where I designed scalable and efficient server-side solutions to meet complex business requirements. These roles sharpened my expertise in both frontend and backend technologies, enabling me to deliver robust, high-performance applications.

As Interim Chief Technology Officer at CryptoPays, I led the entire engineering team, overseeing frontend, backend, DevOps, and QA operations. CryptoPays is a cutting-edge crypto payment gateway that enables users to pay with cryptocurrency and receive payments in their local currency. I was responsible for designing the server infrastructure, developing smart contracts, and integrating the platform with banking systems, ensuring seamless transactions between crypto and fiat.

As the Senior Blockchain Developer at Appsolutely, I managed and developed the entire backend and infrastructure for various blockchain projects while also leading the smart contract development. I spearheaded the development of one of the first VASP-licensed ERC-20 tokens in the Philippines, playing a key role in pioneering the country’s blockchain landscape. My work also included designing liquidity pools, NFT marketplaces, and other decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions.

As a Senior Blockchain Developer at Winterwind Software Services, I worked on a blockchain-based gaming project that utilized both Ethereum and Tron networks for fungible (ERC-20) and non-fungible (ERC-721) tokens. I was responsible for developing and deploying smart contracts using Solidity, ensuring secure and efficient token interactions within the game ecosystem. This project provided me with hands-on experience in blockchain technology, contributing to my expertise in decentralized applications and token standards.

Following my work as a Senior Blockchain Developer, I was offered the position of Lead Developer at Winterwind Software Services. In this role, I managed three development teams working on three separate projects, ensuring the successful execution of project goals and maintaining a high standard of code quality. My responsibilities included overseeing project timelines, mentoring team members, and coordinating cross-team collaboration to deliver impactful solutions.

After the restructuring of New Oriental Club88 Corporation, I transitioned to Wtech Solutions Inc, where I took on a Senior Full Stack Developer role. In this position, I worked with Node.js and Express.js on the backend and Vue.js on the frontend, building efficient and scalable applications. I also began utilizing Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration, significantly improving our deployment processes. Additionally, I played an active role in designing databases and mentored junior developers, helping to elevate the overall technical capabilities of the team.

As a Full Stack Developer at New Oriental Club88 Corporation, I developed robust web applications using PHP frameworks such as Laravel and Lumen, and managed MySQL databases with master-slave replication for enhanced performance and reliability. I also used Vagrant to set up consistent local development environments and worked with WordPress for various web solutions. During this time, I gained a deeper understanding of system design patterns, which further refined my ability to create scalable and maintainable architectures.

I joined Accenture as an Associate Software Engineer after being selected as one of four students to represent my university in the Accenture Student Leadership program. At Accenture, I worked with SAP Ariba, managing source-to-pay processes such as supplier management and procurement. I also developed automation scripts using Python and Java, which streamlined team workflows. This role allowed me to enhance my communication and client-facing skills by working closely with system users, providing daily support, and resolving their concerns efficiently.

As a Web Developer intern at Vertiv, I contributed to the development of an internal system designed to track and manage electrical equipment and supplies. I played a key role in system design, helping to decouple core system components into separate, scalable services to improve overall performance and maintainability. Recognized as the most technically proficient intern, I also mentored fellow interns, assisting them in advancing their programming skills. During my internship, I worked extensively with ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms using C#, MS SQL, and MS Reporting Services, gaining valuable experience in full-stack development within a corporate setting.