Alex Merutka

Craftsman+

We built CRAFTSMAN+ to solve a very real, very overlooked problem: creative at scale.

Performance marketing doesn’t fail from bad media buying, it fails from stale creative. CRAFTSMAN+ is a creative tech company engineered to close that gap. We developed a proprietary content engine that automates high-impact, data-backed playable and interactive ads. Built for speed, scale, and measurable performance.

Our platform helps top mobile brands (and their growth teams) scale creative output across channels like Meta, Google, TikTok, and programmatic, without sacrificing quality or insights.

Partners include category leaders in gaming, fintech, and commerce. Deloitte Fast 500 (#330), Inc. 5000, and trusted by the best because we don’t just make ads—we make performance scale.

CEO | Founder

Node Ventures

Node Ventures backs early-stage companies where we can be a growth weapon, not just a check.

We specialize in companies where digital marketing is the unlock. With deep operating experience across user acquisition, creative automation, and adtech infrastructure, we help founders move faster, scale smarter, and build the systems that drive real traction.

Node isn’t a traditional VC, we're a strategic partner with execution DNA. If we invest, we’re in the trenches with you.

Founder

Node Media

Odin Stem Cells

Odin delivers regenerative stem cell treatments. Clinically backed, nationally scaled, and optimized for long-term health outcomes.

We’re building the future of regenerative medicine by making advanced stem cell therapy accessible across the U.S. Odin operates at the intersection of science, performance, and wellness. Helping patients repair, recover, and optimize from the inside out.

→ Nationwide delivery. Clinical precision. Life-changing results.

Chairman & Co-Founder

Member

Forbes

Forbes 30 under 30 

AppLovin

Strategic Consultant

Helped scale AppLovin from early-stage startup to $29B IPO—leading $2B+ in performance media across mobile, programmatic, and creative.

Joined as one of the first employees. Built and led the user acquisition and programmatic teams during a period of hypergrowth—managing global campaigns for top mobile titles and partners. Owned media strategy and creative performance at scale.

Played a critical role in AppLovin’s growth trajectory from Seed stage through its final private round (led by KKR), culminating in a $29B IPO.

→ Specialized in building systems that connect performance data with growth strategy—at billion-dollar scale.

Head of Programmatic

Director of Sales

Conversant (formerly Greystripe)

Acquired by Alliance Data Systems (ADS) for $2.3 billion in 2014. 

Provided digital media solutions ranging from desktop, mobile, cross-device, video, lead generation, and retargeting.

Account Executive

BrightEdge

Enterprise Business Representative

I build companies that move markets. Right now, that’s CRAFTSMAN+—a creative technology platform powering high-performance ads for the world’s biggest mobile brands.

We’re not just shipping more creatives—we’re rewriting how performance teams scale. Backed by partnerships with Meta, Google, and TikTok, we’ve engineered a platform that turns friction-heavy creative workflows into data-backed, scalable growth engines. It’s the reason we landed on Forbes 30 Under 30, Deloitte Fast 500 (#330), and Inc. 5000—and why top brands trust us to accelerate what actually moves the needle.

Before CRAFTSMAN+, I led user acquisition and programmatic at AppLovin—managing $2B+ in ad spend and helping scale the company from Seed to $29B IPO. I also founded Node Ventures, a startup studio backing breakout ideas with speed and unfair distribution.

Contributor to Bloomberg, Business Insider, and FoxNews. Member of YPO. Always building, always optimizing.

Atlas Reality, Inc.

The world of ATLAS pioneered owning virtual real estate mirrored on top of the real world on the mobile-first form factor. Players can claim land exactly where they are standing in the real world. ATLAS: EARTH takes this a step further - by giving players cash back for every parcel of land they own in the ATLAS metaverse. ATLAS creates a virtuous cycle - improving life both online and offline.

CEO & Co-Founder

Staircase Digital

Staircase Digital helps early stage start ups find customers on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. We've helped over 130+ different start ups in the US and internationally validate product demand, refine positioning, and scale. 

If you are a consumer facing start up  (co)founder looking for growth help, we are your one stop shop to get you to your first 1M users and beyond. Apply at staircasedigital.com

Co-Founder

Vault Investing

Advisor

Acorns

Acorns captures loose change from everyday purchases and invests in your very own professionally managed portfolio.

Lead launch efforts to growth as the #1 finance app in the US in 2014. Advised on pre-launch strategy, set up all campaign strategies that included Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter, Google, Youtube, TV and Radio.

Head of Growth

Honey (joinhoney.com)

Helped pioneer digital growth efforts for the top savings extension in the world.  Acquired by Paypal.

Growth Advisor

Skurt (Acquired by Fair.com)

Launch and growth for on demand rental car service.

Memorandom

Chief Executive Officer

Leads Barter, Inc

Business Development Manager

Examkrackers, INC

Helped coordinate MCAT courses in Southern California region... occasionally teaching MCAT courses myself.

West Coast Regional Coordinator

Experienced growth marketer specialized in helping early stage consumer facing products launch and scale to millions of customers. Played key early roles at companies now collectively valued over $15B, including Acorns, Honey, Dave.com, Root and many more. 

Now focused on bridging the virtual and physical worlds. The world of ATLAS pioneered owning virtual real estate mirrored on top of the real world on the mobile-first form factor. Players can claim land exactly where they are standing in the real world. ATLAS: EARTH takes this a step further - by giving players cash back for every parcel of land they own in the ATLAS metaverse. ATLAS creates a virtuous cycle - improving life both online and offline.

taplio

The Battle

Alex Merutka

Sami Khan

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