Joel Hernández is a technology entrepreneur, software engineer, and serial startup founder best known for creating consumer-friendly digital platforms, developer tools, and online marketplaces powered by artificial intelligence and modern web technologies. He currently serves as co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Venturu, a technology-driven marketplace that simplifies the traditionally complex process of buying and selling small and medium-sized businesses. By combining smart listings, automated valuation tools, and built-in communication systems, Venturu connects buyers, sellers, and brokers in a seamless, transparent digital environment.
Early career and engineering experience
Before fully committing to entrepreneurship, Hernández spent several years honing his technical and product skills at established technology companies. He worked as a software engineer and product developer, gaining hands-on experience building scalable web platforms, robust APIs, and intuitive digital products that serve both consumers and businesses.
One of his most notable early roles was as Product Engineering Lead at Restream, a leading live-streaming technology company. There, he played a key part in enhancing broadcasting tools, making it easier for creators, influencers, and businesses to deliver high-quality live video experiences across multiple platforms. Earlier in his career, he held engineering positions at KPN and Qelp, where he contributed to consumer software applications and digital services, further developing his expertise in creating reliable, user-centered technology.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship has been the driving force throughout Hernández’s professional journey. He has founded and led multiple ventures that blend cutting-edge technology with practical solutions for real-world problems.
His current flagship project is Venturu, which he co-founded and continues to lead as CTO. The platform functions as a modern digital hub for the business brokerage industry, using technology to replace outdated processes with efficient, data-driven tools for listings, valuations, and deal management.
Prior to Venturu, Hernández launched several other successful projects. He co-created Retrato AI, an artificial intelligence-powered photo generation app that quickly gained massive traction, attracting more than 500,000 users within just two months of its launch. He also developed Peekalink, a developer-focused link preview API that enables applications and websites to generate rich, engaging previews for any URL—now widely used in modern web and mobile projects.
In addition, he contributed to Okuna, an open-source social networking platform built around privacy and community governance, offering an ethical alternative to mainstream social media. He also created Jamboss, a digital product that earned significant attention and praise on Product Hunt, the popular platform for discovering new apps and tools.
Recognition
Hernández’s contributions to the European technology scene have earned him notable recognition. He was named one of The Next Web’s Top 500 Digital Talents in the Netherlands, an accolade that highlights his impact in building innovative startups and developer-friendly tools within the region’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Approach and philosophy
Across every project, Joel Hernández has maintained a clear focus: building scalable, intuitive technology that solves genuine pain points. Whether developing AI applications, crafting powerful APIs for developers, or creating online marketplaces that simplify complicated transactions, his work consistently combines strong engineering foundations with a product-first mindset. He is driven by the belief that technology should feel accessible, human-centered, and genuinely useful—principles that continue to shape his ventures and influence the broader digital landscape.
