Joaquin Cuenca on Startup Lessons, Google Acquisition & Freepik’s AI Reinvention

Sep 30, 2025

Joaquin Cuenca on Startup Lessons, Google Acquisition & Freepik’s AI Reinvention

Joaquin Cuenca is the CEO and co-founder of Freepik, a platform known for its AI-driven design tools used by millions of creators worldwide. Starting from a small startup, Joaquin has guided Freepik’s growth into a major player in the creative space by focusing on practical solutions that meet real user needs. His experience blends deep technical insight with a clear vision for how technology can empower designers, marketers, and content creators to work more efficiently.

In this episode, Joaquin talks about the journey of building Freepik, emphasizing the importance of understanding user problems before scaling up. He shares how his team approaches AI development through ongoing feedback and keeping humans involved in the process, ensuring the technology truly supports people’s work. The conversation also touches on building a strong, aligned team culture that encourages innovation, while navigating the ethical challenges of AI, like bias and transparency. Joaquin offers a thoughtful look at how AI can enhance human capabilities, and why growing AI products slowly and thoughtfully is key to building trust and long-term success.

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