Hi, I'm Lyor.

I build products people trust.

Lyor's innovative thinking and problem-solving skills were key to our success.

Dane Baker CEO, EcoCart

Product leader and founder of BuiltIt.dev and DebtCat. 8+ years shipping in fintech, e-commerce, and AI, from zero to one and at scale.

About

Portrait of Lyor Itzhaki

With a journey spanning from culinary entrepreneurship to fintech innovation, I specialize in scaling startups and transforming ideas from zero to one. My expertise lies in AI/ML product management, UX design, and data-driven decision-making.

When I'm not building products, you can find me baking bread, scuba diving, or exploring new cultures with my dog by my side. I'm also an avid gardener, currently growing blackberries, beefsteak tomatoes, Hungarian wax peppers, sage, catnip, and more.

Experience

2025 to now BuiltIt.dev Founder & Builder

Jan 2025 - Present | SF Bay Area, CA

Launched BuiltIt.dev to empower founders and businesses by rapidly transforming ideas into market-ready digital products. We specialize in:

  1. Crafting AI-ready Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) in focused sprints, led by seasoned SaaS product management expertise.
  2. Developing tailored AI automation solutions to optimize and scale existing business operations.

Currently establishing our initial client partnerships and refining our core sprint methodologies. BuiltIt.dev combines strategic product thinking with expert Next.js development to deliver tangible results, fast.

Summary

Leveraging 6+ years as a SaaS Product Manager in fintech and e-commerce, I founded BuiltIt.dev to directly address the gap between innovative ideas and effective technical execution. My mission is to provide a clear, efficient path for clients to validate their concepts and integrate cutting-edge AI, moving from vision to value with speed and strategic precision.

Visit BuiltIt.dev

2026 Hopper Technology Solutions Product Lead

Jan 2026 - Oct 2026 | SF Bay Area, CA

  • Led zero-to-one development of a corporate travel portal on Hopper's commerce platform, partnering with a major U.S. financial institution and 5–8 engineers.
  • Optimized hotel discovery and loyalty-rate merchandising, contributing to an 8% increase in hotel-view-to-checkout conversion.
  • Defined a shared tracking schema across corporate and traveler experiences, aligning engineering on instrumentation and building client-facing Amplitude dashboards.

Summary

As Product Lead at Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS), I led the zero-to-one delivery of a corporate travel portal for a major U.S. financial institution, adapting existing booking technology for a reusable commerce platform. I partnered closely with client stakeholders and a dedicated engineering squad, drove conversion optimizations across hotel discovery and loyalty merchandising, and established the end-to-end product tracking and analytics architecture for enterprise reporting.

2025 eBay Live Senior Product Manager

Jul 2025 - Oct 2025 | Contract via Avenue Code

Senior Product Manager for Trust and Safety at eBay Live, owning critical areas including chat moderation, unpaid-item fraud detection, privacy compliance, and buyer-seller protections. In the first month, I removed approximately 30% of critical blockers and established comprehensive KPIs and dashboards to reduce harmful content, shorten moderation latency, and cut unpaid item incidents.

Summary

Leading Trust & Safety product initiatives for eBay's live streaming platform, focusing on creating safe marketplace experiences while maintaining platform growth. My role combines strategic product management with hands-on execution to build robust safety systems that protect millions of users while enabling seamless commerce.

2024 EcoCart Product Manager, Consultant

Feb 2024 - May 2024 | San Francisco, CA

  • Increased merchant satisfaction by 30% and product adoption by 20% through a revenue share program and new features.
  • Identified package protection as a key growth area, leading to a strategic shift in product offerings.
  • Led development of a package protection solution with Shopify integration and a proprietary claims management system.

Summary

Joined EcoCart as a consultant to enhance their product offerings. I planned a new post-purchase experience for customers, including package protection and other services. From inception, I collaborated closely with our designer, head of product, engineering teams, and leadership to bring this new product to life.

2023 to now DebtCat Founder

Nov 2023 - Present | SF Bay Area, CA

  • Leading the development of an AI-based fintech platform aimed at empowering consumers to understand their rights and eliminate debt.
  • Designed and developed a consumer-facing debt dispute platform that helps users generate legally-sound dispute letters to creditors and collection agencies.
  • Leveraged AI to create an intelligent chatbot that provides personalized debt management advice, resulting in a 92% user satisfaction rate.
  • Established partnerships with consumer advocacy groups to expand reach and credibility.

Summary

After gaining experience in the debt collection industry, I recognized that consumers in debt are underserved. Leveraging my knowledge and technical expertise, I founded DebtCat to provide free resources and tools to help consumers improve their financial situation. Our goal is to establish DebtCat as a trusted authority in debt assistance, collaborating with the CFPB and other consumer rights organizations.

2020 to 2023 TrueML Product Manager

Jan 2022 - Nov 2023 | Product Manager | San Francisco, CA

  • Increased Conversion Rates by 24%: Fostered a culture of rapid experimentation by implementing A/B and multivariate testing, leading to a significant uplift in user conversion.
  • Enhanced Mobile User Experience: Redesigned the mobile interface with modern aesthetics and a streamlined checkout process, resulting in a 25% increase in payment considerations and a 19% rise in completed payments.
  • Optimized Machine Learning Models: Partnered with data science and AI/ML engineering teams to refine and iterate on machine learning models, achieving a 24% improvement in successful debt resolutions.
  • Boosted Revenue by 15%: Led the rapid deployment of multi-factor authentication and introduced a guest checkout feature, enhancing security and user convenience, which collectively increased top-line revenue.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinated with management, engineering, and various departments to establish scalable operational processes and build an efficient organizational structure, facilitating seamless product development and delivery.
  • Implemented Scalable Support Systems: Developed robust product support frameworks that improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across the platform.

Jun 2020 - Jan 2022 | Product Operations Manager, D2C | San Francisco, CA

  • Achieved Exceptional Customer Satisfaction (4.5+ Rating): Established a dedicated service organization, defined and monitored key support KPIs, and trained staff to deliver outstanding customer service.
  • Drove 25% User Growth: Executed targeted HubSpot campaigns for a B2C communications platform, effectively increasing the user base to over 200K monthly active users (MAUs).
  • Streamlined Internal Processes: Led the development of internal tools using lean engineering resources, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the product management team’s objectives.
  • Enhanced Communication Platform: Improved the Engage platform to facilitate better interactions between consumers, debt collectors, and creditors, resulting in more effective debt resolution at all stages.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilized analytics to monitor platform performance and user behavior, informing strategic decisions that aligned with business goals and user needs.

Summary

At TrueML, I spearheaded product development for their direct-to-consumer platform while establishing scalable operational processes. I implemented robust product support systems and collaborated closely with management, engineering, and various departments to build an efficient organizational structure. As Lead Product Manager in the recovery division, I revamped the mobile experience, significantly enhancing user engagement. I successfully led the rapid implementation of multi-factor authentication across all accounts under a tight deadline and introduced a guest checkout feature, boosting top-line revenue by 15% and improving user experience.

2020 AssemblyDrop Product Manager, Consultant

Apr 2020 - Sep 2020 | Palo Alto, CA

  • Conducted market studies and redefined the product roadmap for an on-demand hardware marketplace.

Summary

I partnered with the founder to launch AssemblyDrop, aiming to be the "Instacart for the construction industry." Leading the product from concept to launch, I developed the initial roadmap, executed go-to-market strategies, and conducted comprehensive user research. This in-depth research enabled us to pivot effectively, creating an automated ordering solution tailored for the construction sector. Our innovative approach led to AssemblyDrop's acquisition by Harbor Ready Mix, underscoring the product's value and impact in the industry.

2019 to 2020 ProgForce Founding Product Manager

Aug 2019 - Apr 2020 | Palo Alto, CA

  • Led an Agile team in developing Hierarchy, a B2B SaaS solution enhancing engagement through gamification.
  • Created the initial roadmap and MVP, informed by comprehensive competitor analysis.

Summary

At ProgForce, I collaborated closely with the founder and engineering team to develop an innovative hierarchical task management system for large enterprises. Leading the product from concept to prototype in under a year, I also hired a UX designer and crafted compelling pitch decks. Our testing projected a 30% increase in response rates, a 25% reduction in response times, and a 20% boost in completion rates for travel forecasts across all organizational levels. By integrating gamification, automation, and enhanced transparency, we addressed critical organizational challenges. Although the project was paused due to COVID-19, the experience reinforced my ability to design impactful solutions and adapt to unforeseen challenges.

2018 to 2019 ICL Group Global Operations Analyst

May 2018 - Jun 2019 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Directed a change management project to optimize global operations.

Summary

After relocating to the Netherlands to support my wife's master's in finance, I joined ICL Group as a Global Analyst. Partnering with various departments, especially Global Procurement, I implemented automation processes using Office 365 and Teams, streamlining workflows across the organization. This led to a 20% improvement in approval rates for major purchases and a 25% increase in departmental efficiency. I also led internal projects by translating business requirements into product specifications, managing small teams, and coordinating with stakeholders to develop effective technical solutions.

2016 to 2017 NICE Actimize Business Analyst

Jan 2016 - Sep 2017 | Ra'anana, Israel

  • Launched a new customer portal for a global leader in financial crime and compliance management.

Summary

During my final year of engineering studies, I joined NICE Actimize as a Business Analyst. I focused on driving key metrics and increasing client adoption of our portal. Recognized for my contributions, I was offered a full-time position to further expand and enhance the portal's functionality. I continued to deliver impactful results until relocating to the Netherlands with my spouse.

2011 to 2013 Oren's Hummus General Manager

2011 - 2013 | Palo Alto, CA

  • Established a catering division for the best hummus in the Bay Area.

Summary

Joining Oren’s Hummus during the launch of their first Palo Alto branch, I progressed from Shift Manager to General Manager, honing my leadership and operational skills. I pioneered the creation of a catering service from scratch, developing recipe books, building the website, leading marketing efforts, and establishing streamlined procedures. This catering division became a significant revenue driver, contributing about 40% of total revenue with 25% lower expenses due to the absence of dine-in operations. We successfully catered to local Palo Alto companies with fresh, healthy Mediterranean cuisine. I left Oren's Hummus to move to Israel and pursue engineering studies.

Case studies

Projects

Lyor is one of those rare product managers who truly cares about the product, the users, the client, and the people around him.

I had the pleasure of working with Lyor as he led and built a product and platform from the ground up, navigating ambiguity, shifting priorities, and the complexity of preparing for launch with a new team and a major partner.

In an environment where we constantly had to balance company priorities, client expectations, and launch requirements, Lyor brought tremendous dedication, resourcefulness, and a willingness to tackle whatever challenge came his way. He was never afraid to roll up his sleeves, whether that meant leading across teams, solving unexpected problems, or building a Claude Code prototype that the partner went on to use in client demos.

What stands out most to me is his ownership and complete lack of ego. He does whatever it takes to move things forward, always with the success of the product and the people around him in mind.

Lyor would be a tremendous asset to any team!

Adi Soloducho VP Product, Corporate & Enterprise, Hopper

I worked closely with Lyor when he joined as Product Manager for our corporate travel team at Hopper, and he made a real impact.

Lyor quickly got a deep understanding of the corporate travel landscape. He did detailed research into the platforms on the market so we could make sure what we built for our partner was the best it could be. He then used that insight to help take our product to the next level, scaling it to meet the needs of a large enterprise partner.

In our first month, we built the roadmap together and shaped it into a plan a new team could deliver. As an engineering leader, it's super important to me that product folks I work with understand trade-offs and prioritize accordingly. Lyor was a great collaborator and we were launch-ready with the scaled platform in no time.

Lyor was always on top of everything, and he was excellent with our partner: he built a strong, trusted relationship and made sure they felt heard throughout. He worked really well cross-functionally and was genuinely keen to learn, taking feedback on board and growing quickly in the role.

Lyor is a dedicated, collaborative PM and I’d gladly work with him again.

Isabela Ozamiz Senior Software Engineering Manager, Hopper

Lyor came in to eBay and immediately took ownership of the trust and safety product roadmap for eBay Live. He ramped up quickly and found where he could make an impact by being intellectually curious about the product and the challenges we faced. While Lyor was only here for a short time, he managed to earn stakeholder trust from both business and engineering and brought a highly visible automated chat moderation solution to market. I'm sad to see him move on to new challenges but I'm excited to see what he builds next.

Tim Woo Group Product Manager, eBay Live

Lyor played a pivotal role in our product evolution at EcoCart. His enthusiasm and excitement for every challenge were infectious, driving the team to new heights. Lyor's innovative thinking and problem-solving skills were key to our success. His positive attitude and dedication made him an invaluable asset. I highly recommend Lyor for any role that demands creativity, enthusiasm, and a relentless drive for excellence.

Dane Baker CEO, EcoCart

I had the pleasure of working with Lyor for almost 4 years building sophisticated, compliant products and software in the highly regulated financial industry space. Lyor's strong cross-team accountability, collaboration, attention to detail and dedication to compliance made him an asset, not only to his legal and compliance peers but to the engineers and company as a whole. His creative and intelligent solutions always included designing positive and seamless user experiences while achieving the stated business and legal objectives. Lyor is also fun to be around whether meeting virtually or in person. Consider this the highest of recommendations!!

Kelly Knepper-Stephens Chief Legal Officer

Lyor drives impact as a product manager by considering all possible angles of feature work and how it may affect the end user and stakeholders. He consistently brought a positive and focused energy to the team we worked with that was invaluable. I recommend Lyor for any team that wants a thoughtful, methodical, and flexible leader on their team.

Christina Sheehan Sr. Technical Program Manager

I worked with Lyor for nearly 4 years as a Product Design partner and his collaborative approach always showed he understood the importance of design in product development. He actively sought input from our team to ensure that UX considerations were integrated from the earliest stages of product conception. Lyor has shown outstanding leadership in advocating for user-centered design throughout the organization. He was instrumental in fostering a culture where consumer feedback is not just heard but is a key driver in decision-making processes and he was a valued member of the Voice of the Consumer committee. Lyor would be an asset to any team looking to enhance their product's usability. His dedication to crafting exceptional user experiences is evident in his approach to Product Management, and I am confident he will bring the same level of passion and expertise to whatever company he joins.

Shannon Brown Director of User Experience

Lyor is a great person to work with, professional and pleasant in one package! Have great UX creativity and business views, as well as devotion to all details, even the smallest that others might forget.

Isak Lerner Founder & Managing Partner

I had the pleasure of working with Lyor, who helped turn Chubby'z Instagram success into a thriving online business. He built our Shopify website from scratch, managed the entire project, and worked closely with our designer to create a brand we're proud of. Thanks to Lyor's hard work and dedication, we're now able to support Chubby's needs. I highly recommend Lyor for his expertise and commitment.

Omry A. Founder, Chubby'z

All recommendations on LinkedIn

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