Why this persona fits the audience
Co-founder of a Berlin-based SaaS startup with 6 employees. Manages the entire tech stack personally alongside hiring. Currently uses a mix of free GitHub repositories and handwritten markdown files to manage AI workflows for Windsurf and Antigravity. Needs a centralized directory to ensure all team members use consistent MCP integrations for Docker and Supabase.
- Age: 32
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Occupation: Co-founder & CTO
- Income: €65,000
- Education: Bachelor's in Business Informatics
- Company size: 6 employees
- Years in role: 4 years
“The best way to predict the future is to build it, but you have to build it smart, not just fast.”
Levi Pomp, 32, is a co-founder and CTO of a burgeoning Berlin-based SaaS startup, a venture he embarked on four years ago after completing his Bachelor's in Business Informatics. His journey into entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to build something impactful and a keen observation of inefficiencies in existing workflows, particularly within AI-driven development processes. He embodies the 'hands-on' CTO archetype, personally managing the entirety of the company's tech stack, which currently comprises six employees. This includes everything from backend services powered by Supabase to intricate AI workflow management, which he currently orchestrates using a combination of free GitHub repositories and meticulously maintained, albeit manual, markdown files. This approach, while resourceful, presents significant challenges in ensuring consistency and scalability as the team grows. Levi's decision to personally handle much of the technical infrastructure stems from a deep-seated belief in speed to market and a pragmatic approach to resource allocation; he prefers to invest time and personal effort rather than immediate capital where possible. He is driven by a strong sense of community building, actively participating in the European tech ecosystem and seeking collaborative solutions. His income of €65,000 reflects the early-stage nature of his startup, a figure he views as secondary to the long-term vision and potential of the company. Recent decisions have focused on refining the core product features and exploring more integrated solutions for managing their AI development pipelines, recognizing the limitations of their current ad-hoc system. He is acutely aware of the need for better organization and standardization, especially concerning critical integrations like Docker and Supabase, as his team expands and the complexity of their AI workflows increases. Levi’s relationship with time is one of constant negotiation, always feeling a step behind the ideal pace, while his relationship with money is defined by careful, strategic allocation towards growth and innovation.
Background & daily life
A day in their life
Levi's typical weekday begins around 8:00 AM with a strong espresso and a quick scan of Hacker News and his company's Slack channels. The morning is usually dedicated to deep work – coding new features, debugging complex issues, or architecting new system components. After a quick lunch, often a simple meal at his desk, the afternoon shifts towards team collaboration: stand-ups, code reviews, and discussions about product direction. He also dedicates time to hiring, reviewing applications and conducting interviews. Evenings often involve further coding, planning for the next day, or attending virtual meetups, with dinner usually eaten late. He aims to wrap up by 10:00 PM but frequently finds himself pulled back to his laptop for urgent tasks.
Lifestyle
Levi lives in a shared apartment in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, a vibrant district that fuels his creative energy. His routine is dictated by the startup's demands, often involving late nights fueled by strong coffee and the occasional craft beer. Weekends are a mix of catching up on sleep, exploring Berlin's diverse culinary scene with friends, and sometimes attending local tech meetups. He prioritizes experiences over material possessions, finding joy in learning new things and connecting with like-minded individuals. Financial discipline is present, but he's willing to invest in tools or experiences that promise significant returns in knowledge or efficiency.
Work life
As co-founder and CTO of a nascent SaaS company, Levi is perpetually in motion. His days are a whirlwind of coding, architectural decisions, and strategic planning, often blurring into evenings. He personally oversees the entire tech stack, from backend infrastructure with Supabase to frontend integrations and AI workflow management using a patchwork of GitHub repos and markdown files. Hiring is another significant chunk of his time, as he seeks to build a small, highly skilled team. The pressure to deliver quickly and efficiently is immense, driving his constant search for smarter ways to work.
Relationships
Levi maintains a close-knit circle of friends, many of whom are also involved in the Berlin startup scene. These connections serve as a vital sounding board for ideas and a source of mutual support. His co-founder is his primary professional confidant. While he values his friendships deeply, the demands of the startup often mean less time for casual social gatherings than he'd prefer.
How they decide
Levi is a pragmatic decision-maker, heavily influenced by a blend of rapid experimentation and community consensus. He's quick to adopt new technologies if they promise a significant advantage or efficiency gain, but he also values input from his team and peers. He's not afraid to try unconventional solutions if they are resource-efficient, often weighing the 'cost' of implementation against the potential 'speed to market'.
How they sound
Speaks with a clear, slightly rapid cadence, often using a mix of German and English technical jargon. He's generally enthusiastic when discussing technology and product vision, but can become more reserved and analytical when discussing challenges. Avoids overly formal language, preferring direct and efficient communication. Occasionally uses mild slang common in the tech community.
Personality traits
- Visionary
- Pragmatic
- Hands-on
- Adaptable
- Curious
- Slightly Overwhelmed
- Collaborative
- Detail-Oriented (when focused)
- Resourceful
Goals
- Achieve product-market fit for the SaaS offering within the next 18 months.
- Build a robust and scalable tech infrastructure that can support rapid growth.
- Foster a strong engineering culture within the team, emphasizing collaboration and innovation.
- Expand the company's reach into key European markets.
- Continuously learn and integrate cutting-edge AI technologies into the product.
Problems & frictions
- Maintaining consistency and documentation across evolving AI workflows.
- Balancing hands-on technical work with strategic leadership and hiring.
- Ensuring the team adheres to best practices for integrations (Docker, Supabase) without a centralized system.
- The constant pressure of limited resources and the need for extreme resourcefulness.
- Finding time for deep technical research amidst daily operational demands.
Values
- Speed to Market
- Resourcefulness
- Community Building
- Flexibility
- Innovation
Interests
- SaaS Growth
- Low-Code/No-Code Integration
- European Tech Ecosystem
- Product Design
- AI Workflow Automation
Media habits
- Daily scanning of Hacker News and Reddit (r/programming, r/SaaS)
- Listening to tech podcasts during commutes (e.g., Syntax, Software Engineering Daily)
- Following key figures in the European tech scene on Twitter/X
- Occasional deep dives into technical blogs and documentation