The Story of a Builder
Hi I’m Michael Belete. I’m a software engineer who believes in reality over hype, integrity over compromise, and building things people use. My journey started in high school when a group of friends and I created open-source projects just for the fun of it. That curiosity is still what drives me today.
Over the years I’ve led teams, shaped products, and built platforms that solve real problems—not because they sounded cool—but because users needed them.
What I Believe In
I don’t believe in hype. I believe in delivering results.
I put morality and integrity first. For me it’s simple: the tech works, and the values hold.
Outside of code I love woodworking. There’s something about shaping something with your hands that reminds me why I love shaping software with my mind.
What I Do
I build full-stack products that scale fast, perform well, and enable creators and companies to move confidently. I focus on SaaS, AI integrations, and developer experience, because I believe the tools we build should help teams do more with less.
My go-to stack includes React, Next.js, SvelteKit, Node.js, and cloud-native infrastructure. I’ve also used Flutter, Kotlin, Flask and FastAPI—whatever the right tool is for the job.
Career Highlights
At Bilby Ltd I led development of AI SaaS platforms that secured over $20 M in contracts and delivered measurable outcomes for enterprise clients.
At Limey.io (contract) I built creator-focused tools: the Buy Me a Coffee module, free utilities, and custom code-block features used by thousands.
I co-founded MEATBALL Gateway, a developer-first messaging API startup that connects AI agents with WhatsApp and powers fast, intelligent conversational platforms.
I built MedXpert, a telehealth system in Ethiopia that automates scheduling, connects clinics and patients, and improves access to care.
I published the Svelte Media Query Store open-source toolkit, helping developers handle responsive UI logic cleanly and efficiently.
My Approach
Keep it simple. Ship early. Learn fast. Scale well.
I believe good software emerges from clarity, craftsmanship, and a willingness to iterate. I believe products succeed when they are built for reality, not just for show.
Outside of Code
When I’m not building software I’m in my workshop working with wood, sketching ideas, or exploring new tech tools. I see creativity as a constant—whether I’m crafting furniture or crafting features.
What’s Next
I’m open to senior full-stack roles or lead engineering roles where I can help build real products with real impact. If you care about integrity, craft, and results—not hype—let’s talk.
Professional Experience
Explore my career journey, where each role has contributed to my expertise and impact.
- Spearheaded the development of an AI SaaS platform used by analysts, multinational corporations, and commercial banks to predict and analyze government activities, driving a 22% increase in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
- Led a team of 4 engineers to create an AI SaaS for government relations, contributing 12% growth and helping the company achieve revenue-positive status.
- Built an AI chatbot for analysts, reducing research time by 45% and streamlining access to critical information.
- Designed scalable, easily deployable system architectures for SaaS products, reducing development costs by 80% and accelerating time-to-market by 76%.
- Contributed to a 400% increase in MRR, significantly boosting the company’s revenue and overall growth trajectory.
- Developed the core Presets feature, used by hundreds of users in production, leveraging serverless functions (Netlify) and a serverless database (Upstash) for seamless CRUD operations.
- Led the design and implementation of a comprehensive Help Page, complete with engaging video tutorials and a detailed FAQ section, significantly enhancing therapist satisfaction and driving platform growth.
- Created a dynamic slide feature for Pitch Up, a sales enablement software that improved the user experience and increased sales for potential customers.
- Played a key role in developing a presentation web app for DePuy Synthes, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary specializing in orthopedic medical devices.
- Designed and implemented a student profile page, enhancing account management and boosting user engagement and satisfaction.
- Spearheaded the development of an intuitive UI for organizing gigs into categories—active, offer, and interview—streamlining job tracking and facilitating transparent communication for users.
Featured Projects
A collection of high-impact products built to scale fast, deliver measurable results, and make technology feel effortless.
Open Source
Green Meter — Real-Time Energy Intelligence
A real-time analytics platform that tracks and visualizes live energy consumption to help organizations reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Work
Terminal for Traders — AI-Powered Market Intelligence
A predictive analytics platform built for financial professionals who need accurate market intelligence in real time.
Work
Government Intelligence Terminal — Data for Policy Decisions
A secure intelligence system that transforms public and private data into policy insights used by multiple government agencies.
Ready to Build Something Great?
I’m open to senior full-stack roles and select freelance projects. Let’s collaborate to bring your next idea to life — fast, scalable, and impactful.