Brian Luerssen

Time to stan Brian Luerssen, the guy’s a straight-up startup legend in the making. So, he jumped into the game pretty early, coming out of Indiana University with a BS and then grabbing an MBA from the University of Chicago, dude’s serious about learning what makes startups tick.

Back in 2017, he co-founded Draftbit, this super cool platform that lets you design mobile apps visually but still keeps the code in your hands. No bullshit, it’s a big change for devs and non-tech founders who wanna build without drowning in code. That’s the kind of thing that shows he’s all about making tech more accessible, no cap. Since then, he’s been crushing it, leading Draftbit as CEO and turning it into the real deal in the no-code space.

But that’s just the surface. Before Draftbit, Brian didn’t just jump into startups, he’s got a legit background in tech and research. He co-founded Quantitative Insights, a machine-learning company targeting breast cancer diagnostics. That thing was so promising it got acquired, shows he’s got the vision and hustle to build real tech with impact. Plus, he created and ran OkCupid Labs, the R&D arm of Match.com, which means he’s been deep in the trenches of online dating, innovation, and user experience.

He’s also a general partner at LongJump, a Chicago-based early-stage VC fund, since 2020. So, he’s not just building stuff, he’s investing in the next wave of startups, showing he’s plugged into the system, always on the lookout for the future trend. And he’s a board member at Cycle.io, which is all about cloud infrastructure, the backbone of modern apps.

What’s really dope about Brian is his vibe, he’s not just in it for himself. He’s active in the community, co-founded Relentless, a Chicago startup supper club, where founders and investors hang out and swap ideas. Plus, he’s a Kauffman Fellow, mentored by none other than Sam Yagan (the brains behind OkCupid), so he’s constantly leveling up and giving back.

Bottom line, Brian’s process screams one thing: he’s driven by a passion to make tech more accessible, more effective, and more connected. He’s the guy who’s not afraid to jump into new tech, lead original projects, and then share that knowledge through investing and mentoring. This dude’s story is about pushing boundaries, building real shit, and empowering others to do the same. That’s why he’s a big deal in the startup game, a true builder, connector, and future-shaper.