Krijn Kuijpers

Why this persona fits the audience

Runs a two-person startup in Amsterdam and is building a LinkedIn prospecting agent as part of the product's go-to-market experiments. He relies on free Chrome extensions, exported CSVs, and a few homegrown scripts; he has never paid for a dedicated LinkedIn automation product.

• Age: 26
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Occupation: Co-founder
• Income: €52k founder draw
• Education: BSc Software Engineering
• Company size: 2-person team
• Years in role: 2 years

“Every line of code, every script, is a step towards building something truly independent, something that works because we made it work, not because we paid someone else to.”

Krijn Kuijpers, a 26-year-old co-founder based in Amsterdam, embodies the spirit of lean execution in the AI startup scene. Holding a BSc in Software Engineering, he co-founded a two-person company with a shared vision for building AI-powered tools. His current focus is on developing a LinkedIn prospecting agent, a critical component of their go-to-market strategy. Krijn’s approach is characterized by extreme resourcefulness; he meticulously avoids paid software, relying instead on a carefully curated stack of free Chrome extensions, exported CSV files, and a suite of homegrown Python scripts. This methodology stems from a deep-seated value for independence and a commitment to proving product viability without significant upfront investment. He has never purchased a dedicated LinkedIn automation tool, preferring to build his own solutions through experimentation and iterative refinement. His technical confidence is high, fueled by his engineering background and a passion for LLMs and indie hacking. Krijn’s daily work involves a constant cycle of coding, data analysis, and problem-solving, often pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with free tools. He recently decided to focus the product's initial experiments on validating the core functionality of the LinkedIn agent, believing that demonstrating its effectiveness through manual-like processes will attract early adopters who appreciate the underlying technology. He views time as his most valuable asset, meticulously allocating it between development and essential user outreach, always seeking the most efficient path forward. Status for Krijn is measured by technical achievement and the successful creation of functional, impactful software, rather than financial metrics alone.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Krijn's typical weekday begins around 7:00 AM with a quick run or gym session, followed by a healthy breakfast. By 8:30 AM, he's at his desk, fueled by coffee, diving into code. His mornings are dedicated to deep work on the LinkedIn agent, refining scripts, and testing new LLM integrations. Lunch is usually a quick, healthy meal prepared at home. The afternoon might involve analyzing scraped data, planning the next development sprint, or engaging with potential users through community forums. He often works until 7:00 PM or later, especially if he's in the middle of a critical development cycle. Evenings are for winding down, perhaps reading a tech article or listening to a podcast, before preparing for the next day.

Lifestyle

Krijn lives in a modest apartment in the heart of Amsterdam, a city that offers both vibrant culture and a conducive environment for startups. He enjoys a disciplined routine, waking up at 7:00 AM each day, starting with a quick workout at a nearby gym. After a nutritious breakfast, he dives into work, often coding into the afternoon. On weekends, Krijn spends time exploring Amsterdam’s cultural offerings, visiting museums, or meeting up with a small circle of close friends for drinks or a board game night. He's mindful of his spending, preferring to reinvest profits back into the company, but occasionally splurges on a new gadget or a weekend trip to a European city.

Work life

As co-founder of a two-person startup, Krijn wears multiple hats, but his primary focus is engineering and product development. His current obsession is building a LinkedIn prospecting agent, a core part of their go-to-market strategy. He meticulously crafts homegrown scripts and leverages free Chrome extensions to scrape data, then exports it into CSV files for analysis and further processing. He's deeply involved in the technical challenges of making AI agents interact with LinkedIn effectively, constantly iterating on his approach. The pressure is on to validate the product's core functionality and find early adopters without significant capital.

Relationships

Krijn's closest relationship is with his co-founder, a fellow engineer with whom he shares a deep technical understanding and a similar work ethic. Outside of work, he maintains a small but loyal group of friends from university, with whom he shares a passion for technology and problem-solving. His family, while supportive, doesn't fully grasp the intricacies of his startup journey, but they appreciate his dedication.

How they decide

Krijn is highly analytical and research-driven, especially when it comes to technical tools and strategies. He prefers to experiment and gather data before committing to a path. He values efficiency and will spend time optimizing processes to avoid unnecessary costs or complexity. He's not easily swayed by hype and looks for practical, demonstrable value.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise technical terms. His Dutch accent is subtle but present. He avoids overly casual slang but isn't stiffly formal. He tends to explain his thought process, especially when discussing technical challenges. He's direct and to the point, but can become animated when discussing a complex problem he's solved. He rarely uses filler words and prefers concise explanations.