You might recognize these titles: Tech Founder, Key Player in Successful Startups, and AWS Solutions Architect Professional.
However, behind these achievements is a tech leader who’s all about integrity and impactful, secure solutions.
After being at the forefront of two startups valued at $18M+ and $25M+ respectively, he is now the founder of Atomic Wombat, building web apps and helping businesses protect themselves against hackers.
This is Alexandre’s story, and together, we’re ready to show you what real leadership in tech looks like.
Discovering the Leader: A Personal Perspective
After navigating the startup ecosystem, this leader became increasingly aware of a glaring gap in the market—many businesses, especially non-tech companies, were woefully underprepared for the growing cybersecurity threats. This realization sparked a new direction in his career: Build Atomic Wombat, a company that could bridge the gap between web development and security measures.
Teamwork that delivers
I reached out to Alexandre on LinkedIn after I realized we shared the same core values: integrity, professionalism, and a straightforward approach to getting results.
Little did we know, this wasn’t our first encounter! Flashback two years ago: We were in the thick of launching Slashscore, sending out cold emails left and right. At that time, Alexandre was working behind the scenes at a startup. He noticed our emails, however, he never replied.
It’s fascinating how the world works—bringing people together when the timing is right and the values align. Our paths have crossed again, and this time, we’re collaborating in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then.
Working with Atomic Wombat on joint projects is a breath of fresh air—no handholding, no pointless calls interrupting the flow, and no dancing around inefficiency. From the very start, we both knew we were on the same page—focused on the work and driven by mutual respect.
Collaborating with professionals who speak your language and value your time as much as you value theirs? That’s the dream team!
The stack that they envisioned was React, NextJS, Tailwind, and MaterialUI on the frontend, coupled with Python and FastAPI on the backend.
Our roles were laid out from the beginning: our team handled the front end, while his company took charge of the back end and security. And here’s the beauty of it—there was no micromanaging, no over-the-shoulder hovering. We trusted each other to get things done, and we did. That’s how it should be. Too many collaborations get bogged down in unnecessary meetings or constant status checks. We cut out all that nonsense. When you’re dealing with someone who knows their stuff, you don’t need to babysit. You communicate efficiently, and the work speaks for itself.
It felt like we were part of the same team, even though we were technically two. Why? Because we were operating at the same wavelength and at the same level of expertise. We didn’t have to slow down to explain every detail or justify every decision. Both of our teams just got it. And that made everything move faster, smoother, and with fewer headaches.
This is the kind of teamwork that delivers.
Innovative Services and Products Offered by Atomic Wombat
Atomic Wombat is working with startups and non-tech businesses, not just to get the job done, but to do it right—and that’s rare in an industry flooded with empty promises offering end-to-end tech solutions: design, frontend, backend, cloud, and AI expertise to help you achieve your business goals.
Now, they’re bringing that same results-driven approach to teaching serverless technology with their course:
Mastering AWS Serverless: Hands-On with Core AWS Services.
One of the things we respect most about Alexandre and his team is their transparency. They don’t sugarcoat things and won’t sell you something you don’t need. They’ll tell you straight up if a solution isn’t in your best interest.
This kind of integrity is rare in tech, where too many companies are focused on short-term gains.
My Short Interview with Alexandre Bardiaux
Entrepreneurship, often associated with images of freedom, innovation, and success, can also be brutally isolating and incredibly tough.
Behind the glamorous facade lies a world of sleepless nights, relentless problem-solving, and constant questioning of one’s choices. So,
What was your lowest point as a founder, and how did you pull through? Was there ever a moment where you thought you had made the wrong choice going down this path?
- Alexandre: Some days are incredibly tough. Your biggest client might call to say they’re struggling financially and can’t pay you. Maybe an employee made a costly mistake that will take significant time and effort to fix, or a project you poured your heart and soul into didn’t work out. On those days, it’s easy to forget why you started your own business. You go to bed feeling drained, even defeated. But by morning, I’m back at it, giving it everything I have. Why? Because I have a dream—an audacious vision for Atomic Wombat. What else would I do with my life if not chasing that dream? What else deserves my time and energy more than working toward it? 😊
Tech solutions are rarely one-size-fits-all, but a lot of companies seem to push cookie-cutter fixes.
How do you approach understanding a client’s unique problem before offering a solution? Can you share a specific example where your team solved a particularly complex or misunderstood problem for a client?
- Alexandre: It’s definitely challenging and requires a lot of customer communication. Often, the customer isn’t entirely sure of what they want. We usually start by discussing why they want to create something and how it will drive growth for their business. Once we have a solid understanding of their business and how a custom web app could support their goals, we move on to the design phase. Sometimes, it’s as simple as sketching out basic elements on a blank page to ensure everyone is on the same page. Finally, we start coding, but we keep feedback loops short. Each week, we provide a small demo for the customer so we can quickly make adjustments as needed.
Cybersecurity often feels like an afterthought for most companies—until they get hacked.
Do you think businesses take cybersecurity seriously enough? Can you give an example where you had to step in and fix a situation that could have been catastrophic?
- Alexandre: I believe many businesses underestimate the importance of cybersecurity. Often, they assume they’re too small to be targeted and cite budget constraints as an excuse. But the reality is that cybersecurity is essential for any company handling customer data. In early 2024, a client approached us to audit their code quality as they were planning to rewrite a portion of their application. Although cybersecurity wasn’t included in the scope, we decided to run a quick security check. We discovered an XSS vulnerability, which could have allowed an attacker to steal user credentials. We promptly informed the client and assisted in fixing the issue. Unfortunately, situations like this are all too common.
In a world obsessed with AI and automation, there’s a lot of confusion about what actually works and what’s just hype.
How do you filter out the noise and help clients implement AI in a way that’s practical and effective? Can you share a specific instance where AI integration solved a real problem for one of your clients?
- Alexandre: Many people misunderstand AI—it’s become such a buzzword that everyone wants to “do AI,” often without fully understanding it. This reminds me of past trends like “big data” and “serverless,” which were also widely used without much clarity. At its core, AI is just a tool. On its own, it won’t grow your business or disrupt it. The real question should be: What problem is my business solving? Then, consider whether AI can help deliver a better, faster, or more affordable solution. Only when it supports a clear business objective does implementing AI make sense. For instance, we built a ChatGPT integration for one client to make sense of large amounts of text by highlighting key threats in a human-friendly way. It boosted user satisfaction.
As AI systems take on more responsibilities, the traditional roles of tech leaders are bound to evolve.
How do you foresee the future of leadership adapting to this change? What shifts do you anticipate in your leadership style?
- Alexandre: I don’t think leadership itself is likely to change much, people are still people. A critical focus, however, will be on encouraging junior developers to truly understand their work rather than just relying on AI for quick solutions. Inspiring curiosity and promoting learning have always been essential responsibilities for a tech lead.
Launching a new series of courses on software development signifies a commitment to education in the tech community.
What motivated you to take this step, and where can they be found?
- Alexandre: When you’re truly passionate about something, sharing it comes naturally—that’s how we began creating courses. We want Atomic Wombat to be a true tech partner, sometimes by doing the coding ourselves and other times by teaching a team new skills so they can take charge.
As an added bonus, our courses introduce us to new people and help us build our brand. Our first course is available on Udemy, and we’re already planning new courses for 2025.
As AI tools evolve, the skills required in the tech industry are also shifting. So,
Are there particular skills you think future software engineers should prioritize to remain competitive?
- Alexandre: A major pitfall for developers is relying on AI without a solid understanding of their own work. AI generates output based on the vast, mixed-quality information available online—some of it is excellent, some flawed, but most is simply “good.” As a result, AI tends to produce code that’s competent but rarely exceptional or innovative. When developers know their craft well, however, they can write high-quality code themselves and then leverage AI to handle the repetitive or remaining 20%. In this way, AI enhances productivity by completing tasks at the same level of quality as the initial work. This dynamic may pose a challenge for junior developers who haven’t yet surpassed the baseline quality of AI-generated code. But once developers reach a high skill level, AI becomes a valuable collaborator rather than a competitor.
Conclusion
In a world where every second counts, aligning with like-minded professionals isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Imagine the power of seamless communication, mutual respect, and shared goals.
This is what happens when you work with engineers who know what they’re doing. There’s no drama, no distractions—just two teams respecting each other’s space and talent, delivering results without any of the usual friction.
The best part? It was all about the work. No ego, no fluff—just straight-up problem-solving. That’s how real partnerships are built. And that’s exactly why this collaboration worked so well. The shared respect, clarity, and ability to focus without interruptions created a synergy that led to real, tangible results.
Let’s strive for partnerships that elevate, inspire, and drive success. Because when we work with those who get us, the possibilities are limitless.
This experience underscores the importance of perseverance and the incredible potential of LinkedIn to reconnect paths and forge powerful partnerships.
Never underestimate the potential impact of your network. You never know when a connection will turn into an opportunity. Keep reaching out, keep growing, and keep believing in the power of your connections.
