About Us - DraftIQ

Meet the Team

Through the revolutionary lens of stock market mechanics, we've reimagined how fans engage with their favorite sport, creating an entirely new way to experience fantasy football.

Rahul Arora

Co-Founder & CTO

Columbia University

As Co-Founder and CTO of DraftIQ, Rahul Arora drives the technology, design, and creative innovation behind the platform. With a strong background in data science and engineering, Rahul is the architect who brings DraftIQ's vision to life, ensuring the app combines strategy, fairness, and fun at every level. His lifelong fascination with fantasy football and years spent analyzing player performance inspired him to rethink how drafting could extend beyond sports, fueling the creation of DraftIQ as both a game and a community.

A student at Columbia University, Rahul is pursuing a dual focus in Financial Engineering and Computer Science, where he explores the intersection of technology, analytics, and real-world applications. He has developed multiple projects that reflect his passion for coding and creativity, always looking for ways to build tools that are both innovative and practical. As CTO, Rahul leads product development and technical strategy, shaping DraftIQ into a platform that is scalable, engaging, and impactful.

Born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Rahul balances his technical expertise with a diverse range of interests. A former football player and track runner, he carries the same discipline and competitive drive from athletics into his work as a builder and problem-solver. Beyond sports, he is an avid coder and a natural innovator, always eager to experiment with new ideas. Guided by creativity, curiosity, and a passion for technology, Rahul envisions DraftIQ as more than just a product: a dynamic space where strategy, play, and community come together.

Mara Visentin

Co-Founder & COO

Emory University

As Co-Founder and COO of DraftIQ, Mara Visentin leads operations, strategy, and the vision for building a platform that brings the thrill of the draft beyond sports. She helped create DraftIQ out of a passion for entrepreneurship and a belief that decision-making should be smarter, fairer, and more fun. Mara drives the company's mission to gamify everyday choices, making strategy and community part of daily life.

A student at Emory University, Mara plans to major in Economics and Environmental Science, combining analytical problem-solving with a commitment to sustainability and innovation. Her entrepreneurial spirit runs deep — from exploring start-up ideas to building leadership opportunities, she thrives on turning ambitious concepts into reality. With skills in organization, strategy, and team building, Mara ensures DraftIQ runs with both structure and creativity at its core.

Born and raised in Riverside, Connecticut, with family roots in Canada, Mara brings a global and adaptable perspective to her work. Her interests — from playing soccer and skiing to years of training in martial arts — shape her competitive, disciplined, and team-oriented mindset. A passion for sustainability and traveling the world adds to her drive to create meaningful impact, both through DraftIQ and beyond. Guided by values of inclusivity, resilience, and creativity, Mara envisions DraftIQ as more than just an app: a movement that redefines how people make choices, connect with one another, and play.

Our Story

Why We Started

The "Aha" Moment

It was during a heated fantasy football draft when we realized something was missing. We were making decisions based on gut feelings and past performance, but what if we could apply real market analysis? What if player values could fluctuate based on actual performance and demand, just like stocks?

The Challenge

Traditional fantasy football felt too predictable. We wanted to create a game where every decision mattered, where you could buy low and sell high, where market timing was as important as player knowledge. We dreamed of a platform that would challenge even the most seasoned fantasy players.

The Vision

We envisioned a world where fantasy football wasn't just about luck, but about strategy, research, and market intuition. A place where casual fans could learn financial concepts through sports, and where serious players could showcase their analytical skills. That's how DraftIQ was born.

The Final Product

Today, DraftIQ is a fully-realized platform that combines the excitement of fantasy football with the strategic depth of stock market trading. Users can build portfolios, track real-time player values, make strategic trades, and compete in leagues where market knowledge determines success. It's everything we dreamed of and more.

Where Fantasy Meets The Stock Market