In this edition of TechStar Magazine, we sit down with Jack Alati, founder and CEO of Lattis, to discuss his journey from aerospace engineering to building an AI-driven mobility platform. Jack shares insights on the challenges of pivoting from hardware to software, the future of fleet management, ethical considerations of AI, and advice for aspiring SaaS entrepreneurs.
Engineering Is Problem-Solving
“Software engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering—it’s all engineering. You’re just solving problems.”
That’s how Jack Alati, founder of Lattis, frames his view on technology. For him, engineering is less about the medium—whether code or mechanics—and more about the mindset of problem-solving.
Jack’s career started in aerospace, designing commercial airplanes, tanks, and helicopters before moving into consumer electronics like cell phones. But it was his passion for innovation that eventually led him to launch Lattis, a platform focused on mobility solutions.
From Engineering to Entrepreneurship
Jack recalls moving from Seattle to California, then briefly to New York, before realizing that he wanted to return to the West Coast. Job opportunities in mechanical engineering were scarce, and instead of waiting, he teamed up with other technologists to create new products.
Their first big success? A solar-powered, Bluetooth-enabled bike lock called Ellipse, released in 2013. The lock could self-charge indefinitely and introduced Jack to the intersection of hardware and software. That innovation paved the way for Lattis.
The Pivot from Hardware to Software
Lattis originally focused on connected locks, but when supply chain issues—especially after COVID-19—disrupted hardware production, Jack and his team made the tough choice to pivot. They turned toward software, developing a fleet management platform that now helps businesses and governments manage shared vehicles, from scooters and bikes to cars and potentially even robots.
This pivot wasn’t easy. “Hardware is the double black diamond of startups,” Jack admits, citing the challenges of distribution, inventory, and capital requirements. Yet the move to software allowed Lattis to scale without the burdens of manufacturing. Importantly, the company retained 13 patents from its hardware days, preserving valuable intellectual property.
AI and Data: The Core of Fleet Management
Fleet management generates enormous amounts of data: GPS locations, vehicle usage patterns, charging cycles, maintenance needs, and customer behavior. Jack explains that AI has transformed the way Lattis leverages this data.
With AI, operators can gain predictive insights—like when a vehicle will need maintenance, how to rebalance fleets across a city, or how to minimize costs while boosting revenue. Instead of relying on intuition, operators can now optimize complex, multivariable systems with precision.
But with AI comes responsibility. Jack acknowledges the ethical and regulatory concerns surrounding data privacy and usage. Lattis designs its platform to be flexible—allowing features like GPS tracking to be disabled when necessary, such as on sensitive corporate campuses.
The Future of Mobility: B2B and B2G
Lattis operates as a B2B2C model, empowering businesses to run rental fleets. Increasingly, though, Jack sees huge potential in working directly with governments (B2G).
He envisions a future where a commuter can use the same card to board a bus, rent a scooter, and enter the subway—an integrated mobility system. While some first-world countries already experiment with this, emerging markets hold immense opportunities for such integration.
Remote Work and Global Teams
Even before remote work became fashionable, Lattis embraced it for economic reasons. Hiring global talent allowed the company to stay lean. Today, Lattis has team members across continents—from Africa and India to Ukraine, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Jack highlights the benefits: diverse cultural perspectives on mobility, 24/7 operations, and adaptability. Still, he values hybrid collaboration, especially during the hardware phase, where physical presence was critical for prototyping.
Resilience and Advice for Entrepreneurs
Jack is candid about the hardships of entrepreneurship. Pivoting from hardware to software meant writing off years of investment. Yet resilience has been the key to survival.
He advises aspiring SaaS founders:
Treat entrepreneurship as a marathon, not a sprint.
Focus daily on small, achievable goals—“three things a day.”
Expect obstacles; your job is to work around them, not resent them.
Don’t burn out—sustainability matters more than intensity.
Jack likens entrepreneurship to paddling a canoe on a river: obstacles will always appear, but success comes from skillfully navigating around them.
Looking Ahead
Currently, Jack and his team are building a new foundational AI engine designed to handle complex decision-making. While mobility is the first use case, he sees broader applications across industries.
For Jack Alati, engineering—whether in aerospace, hardware, software, or AI—remains about solving problems. And with Lattis, he’s determined to solve one of the world’s most pressing challenges: efficient, sustainable mobility.
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