Cory Li

We’re about to simp for Cory Li – this guy is straight-up the real deal in tech and startups. So, he’s a UCYC vet, did W18 and S12 – which means he’s been deep in the startup game for a minute now. Dude’s got a solid background from MIT, where he crushed it with a bioengineering degree. That mix of biotech and engineering? That’s where his brain really shines.

Started off, he jumped into the scene as an intern at Venuetastic back in 2011 – just dipping his toes into software engineering. Not long after, he co-founded Benchling, a major biotech platform. That’s some big leagues stuff – building tools for scientific R&D, developing new DNA assembly techniques. Basically, he was helping scientists do their thing faster and better with tech. That’s some serious science meets startup hustle.

Cory’s got more than just a biotech mind. He’s got a wild creative streak too. Fast forward a bit, and he’s now the CEO and co-founder of Spellbrush. This is where things get super interesting – he’s building AI-powered tools for artists, especially anime and illustration folks. Think next-gen creative tech that leverages massive GPU clusters and generative AI models. The guy’s bridging science, AI, and art like a boss – all in one shot. That’s no easy feat, but Cory’s been pushing boundaries his whole career.

What’s wild is his process shows he’s all about pushing limits. He’s not stuck in one lane. He’s been in biotech, then shifted into AI and entertainment. He’s the kind of guy who sees a problem and just jumps in, no bullshit. His experience with building complex AI models and large GPU clusters? That’s the kind of stuff most people don’t even understand – and he’s doing it for creative industries. That’s next level.

Honestly, what I get from his story is he’s super motivated by making things better, faster, more original. Whether it’s DNA tech or AI art tools, Cory loves to build stuff that changes the game. He’s someone who’s not afraid to jump into new fields and learn from scratch if he has to. That’s the kind of founder who’s gonna keep crushing it because he’s driven by curiosity and a real desire to make an impact.

Long story short – Cory Li is a tech and startup guy with a crazy diverse background, who’s now shaping the future of AI in creative worlds. He’s a perfect example of someone who’s not afraid to go all-in on new ideas, blending science, engineering, and art into something that could totally reshape how we create and innovate. No cap, he’s just getting started.