Jose Plehn Dujowich

CEO and Founder, BrightQuery and BQ AI, Finance and Artificial Intelligence

Jose Plehn Dujowich, as the visionary CEO, Chief Data Officer, and Founder of BrightQuery (BQ) and BQ AI, has forged a trailblazing path in data science and economic analysis. His remarkable career has been characterized by strategic collaborations with major U.S. statistical agencies such as the IRS, Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Small Business Administration (SBA). Jose’s expertise spans many disciplines, including economics, finance, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), specializing in employment and payroll systems, financial and credit ratings, and industrial organization.

Establishing BrightQuery

Jose Plehn launched BrightQuery in 2019 to enhance the transparency and accessibility of economic data. The platform serves a critical function by providing detailed firmographics, financials, and corporate family trees, helping to paint a clearer picture of the U.S. economy. Under his leadership, BrightQuery has curated a massive database containing information on over 100 million legal entities and 250 million locations, drawing from various regulatory, tax, and legal filings. This resource is instrumental for researchers, analysts, and strategists who require comprehensive, reliable data.

Introduction of BQ AI

In response to the growing need for more sophisticated economic models, Jose inaugurated BQ AI in 2023. This ambitious initiative aims to craft a super-intelligence that can analyze and interpret the complex dynamics of the global economy, beginning with the United States. By leveraging the extensive data collected by BrightQuery, BQ AI is designed to simulate the intricate interdependencies between companies, consumers, households, and governments, offering insights into both micro and macroeconomic factors.

Engagement in NSF-Funded Research

Jose Plehn's cutting-edge research has attracted the attention and funding of the National Science Fund (NSF), where he leads several projects. These initiatives focus on integrating AI with traditional data analytics to enhance the functionality and accessibility of statistical data. This work is crucial for evolving how federal agencies use data, helping them harness the power of AI to achieve more nuanced and actionable insights.

A Rich Academic and Entrepreneurial Background

Before founding BrightQuery, Jose Plehn had a prolific academic and consulting career. He was integral in founding Powerlytics, where he developed tools for analyzing anonymized IRS tax return data. His academic posts at institutions like UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business were marked by significant scholarly contributions and the development of innovative programs that bridged the gap between theoretical economics and practical application.

Educational Achievements and Global Influence

Jose Plehn earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from MIT, minoring in Mathematics. Born in New York to Mexican parents, he spent his early years in Mexico City and later in Geneva, Switzerland. This international upbringing not only provided him with fluency in English, Spanish, and French but also instilled a global perspective that has influenced his professional and personal ethos.

Advocating for Small Business Insights

Dedicated to supporting the backbone of the economy—small businesses—Jose has partnered with the NFIB to distribute free economic reports to help small businesses navigate the complexities of the market. These initiatives underscore his commitment to using data to foster economic resilience and growth at all levels of the economy.

Jose Plehn Dujowich’s data science and economic analysis endeavors demonstrate his unwavering commitment to advancing our understanding of economic phenomena through innovative, data-driven approaches. His work continues to impact how businesses, governments, and academics think about and interact with financial data.