Giovanni Hislop

What I do

Services built for results

I partner with startups and scale-ups to design, build, and ship digital products. Here's how I can help.

How an engagement runs

Availability
Available for Q4 2026
Starts with
Discovery, 1-2 weeks
Based in
Amsterdam, working remote

01 / Core services

What I can take off your plate

Each engagement is shaped around your team: I can lead the build or plug into what you already have.

Service 01

Product & Platform Development

From concept to launch, I build digital products that solve real problems and scale with your business.

Problem
You have a vision for a digital product but lack the technical expertise to bring it to life. Or your existing platform is outdated and holding back growth.
Approach
I partner with you from discovery through launch, building custom web and mobile applications using modern technologies like React, Next.js, and React Native.
Result
A polished, performant product that delights users and drives business outcomes. My clients see an average 40% improvement in user engagement.

Best forStartups with product ideas, scale-ups needing to rebuild, enterprises modernizing legacy systems.

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Service 02

Frontend Engineering & Performance

High-performance interfaces built with modern frameworks and optimized for speed.

Problem
Your application is slow, your codebase is hard to maintain, and your team spends more time fixing bugs than building features.
Approach
I architect and build frontend systems using React, Next.js, and TypeScript with a focus on performance, accessibility, and developer experience.
Result
Sub-second load times, maintainable codebases, and interfaces that work flawlessly across devices. Typical performance improvements of 50-70%.

Best forProduct teams with performance issues, companies rebuilding legacy frontends, startups scaling their engineering.

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Service 03

Architecture & Scalability

Technical architecture that grows with your business without growing your problems.

Problem
Your system works for now, but you're worried about what happens at 10x scale. Technical debt is accumulating and slowing you down.
Approach
I design and implement scalable architectures, from monolith-to-microservices migrations to greenfield system design, with a pragmatic, business-first approach.
Result
Systems that handle growth gracefully, reduced operational complexity, and a clear technical roadmap for the future.

Best forScale-ups hitting growing pains, enterprises modernizing infrastructure, CTOs planning for growth.

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Service 04

Technical Consultancy

Senior-level guidance for teams navigating complex technical decisions.

Problem
You need an experienced technical perspective but don't need (or can't justify) a full-time senior hire. Important decisions are being made without enough context.
Approach
I embed with your team as a technical advisor, reviewing architecture, mentoring developers, and helping you make informed technology decisions.
Result
Better technical decisions, faster team growth, and avoided costly mistakes. Think of it as fractional CTO expertise.

Best forStartups without senior technical leadership, teams facing critical architecture decisions, founders validating technical approaches.

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02 / Process

From first call to launch

Five phases, with a clear idea of what you get and what I need from you at each step.

  1. 01 / Phase

    Discovery

    I dive deep into your business, users, and goals. Through workshops and research, I uncover the real problems worth solving.

    You get

    Collaborative workshops, stakeholder interviews, and a clear project brief.

    1-2 weeks

  2. 02 / Phase

    Strategy & Planning

    I define the solution architecture, create detailed specifications, and plan the roadmap. No surprises down the line.

    You get

    Technical architecture, feature specifications, timeline, and budget.

    1-2 weeks

  3. 03 / Phase

    Design & Prototype

    I create wireframes and interactive prototypes, testing with real users before writing a single line of production code.

    You get

    Wireframes, visual designs, clickable prototypes, and user testing insights.

    2-4 weeks

  4. 04 / Phase

    Build & Iterate

    Agile development with regular demos and feedback cycles. You see progress every week and can adjust priorities as I learn.

    You get

    Weekly demos, working software increments, and transparent progress tracking.

    6-12 weeks

  5. 05 / Phase

    Launch & Support

    I handle deployment, monitoring, and the inevitable post-launch refinements. Then I'm here for ongoing support and evolution.

    You get

    Smooth deployment, documentation, training, and ongoing support options.

    Ongoing

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Not sure which service you need?

Let's chat about your project and figure out the best approach together.

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