Engineer turned builder. I make things that think.
Hatem Al-Absi
From engineering the feel of a car to building tools that think - my work lives at the intersection of precision and obsession. I turn chaotic problems into clean products, blending curiosity, speed, and storytelling. Born in Jordan, based in the UK, building what’s next.
Quirky Toys
Fun little side projects that do one thing well (or at least try to). Built fast, just because I can.
Who I am
I've led projects in automotive, built AI pipelines from scratch, and pitched products I coded myself.
But my real obsession? Taking a messy real-world problem and structuring it - into a tool, a venture, a narrative.
I bridge engineering and empathy. Code and customer. Chaos and clarity. And sometimes I cook amazing food.
Education
Master in Advanced Mechanical Engineering
Imperial College London
2021 - 2022
Focused on automotive, data science, and advanced engineering.
Pushed boundaries with a dissertation that mathematically modeled how composite materials fail under compression.
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Queen Mary University of London
2018 - 2021
Graduated 3rd in cohort. Scored 99% in Maths & Computing.
Explored hybrid propulsion with a dissertation on the feasibility of using gasoline power units in UAVs.
Skills / Traits
From technical depth to creative fluency - here’s what I bring to the table.
Systems Thinking
Zooming out and connecting dots across domains to make complex things simple.
Rapid Prototyping
I build fast. Even if it’s rough, I’d rather test early than wait for perfect.
Storytelling
Turning features into narratives. Making people care through words and framing.
Full-Stack Engineering
Comfortable across frontend, backend, and infra when building MVPs.
UX & Visual Design
Designed for startups, clients, and personal projects across web and mobile.
Emotional Intelligence
I listen, reflect, and adapt. I can read rooms and user feedback alike.
Focus & Execution
I prioritize hard and execute without waiting for permission.
Adaptability
Dropped into unknown domains and figured it out more times than I can count.
Curiosity
Perpetually obsessed with how things work and how they could work better.
Projects
Some things I’ve built, broken, and rebuilt better.
Voice AI mystery shopping platform. Built full MVP solo: VoIP + Whisper + GPT pipeline, Supabase SQL backend, and React dashboard. Now testing with UK retailers and clothing brands.
Developed Python automation tools and MATLAB dashboards for vehicle dynamics simulation. Reduced manual overhead and improved team-wide process clarity.
Built a custom internal tool that automated customer discovery for startup ideas. Combined scraping, clustering, and GPT prompts to surface unmet needs across different markets.
Led an AI-backed internal tool to optimise role mapping and compensation. Automated gap analysis, surfaced structural inefficiencies, and generated ideal role matches - resulting in AWS funding and leadership visibility.
Designing digital experiences for brands & startups using Figma and Next.js. Clients included SaaS, manufacturing, and hospitality.
One place for all your customer discovery calls and insights. Upload and transcribe conversations, track themes and pain points, and explore analytics that turn raw interviews into structured learnings.
My Edge Breakdown
A closer look at my founder strengths.
Catalyst
My strongest edge. I turn raw ideas into momentum. I move fast, pitch well, and bring infectious energy. I naturally attract collaborators and keep momentum alive through early chaos.
Tech
Second strongest edge. I build full products solo - voice AI systems, dashboards, automation tools - and keep learning across the stack. Not a purist, just obsessed with solving through code.
Market
My weakest edge, but improving fast. I can spot underserved pain and ask sharp questions, but still levelling up in validation loops, GTM strategy, and channel building.
Big 5 Personality Traits
Curious, driven, and wildly extroverted - I thrive on big ideas and follow through with discipline. I value harmony but won’t sugarcoat things. Find out your own style here.
Co-founder Compatibility
Here’s what I value most in a partner.
Radical Honesty
Tell me what you really think, even if it stings. I’ll do the same.
Execution Obsession
You ship. You iterate. You don’t get stuck in analysis or ego.
Complementary Edge
You bring something I don’t: sales, ops, vision, or technical depth.
Learning Drive
Always levelling up, always curious, never complacent.
High Trust
We move fast because we trust each other’s intent and competence.
Resilience
You bounce back, adapt, and laugh at setbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to questions I get asked often.
What kind of startups do you want to build?
Ones that solve painful problems and scale through automation, insight, or sheer obsession with the user.
What’s your edge as a founder?
I bring product intuition, engineering execution, and the speed to validate faster than most people can write a spec.
Are you technical or business-oriented?
Both. I’ve shipped MVPs solo, handled early customer calls, and written investor decks that get attention.
What are you looking for in a co-founder?
Someone who’s honest, obsessed, fast-moving, and can teach me something every day.