Builder.ai
Builder.ai helped businesses build software through AI-assisted no-code development.
Builder.ai was a no-code AI-powered app development platform that claimed to automate software development from concept to launch. The platform positioned itself as a hybrid between DIY no-code tools and traditional development agencies, combining AI acceleration with human expertise. However, the company ceased operations in May 2025 after entering insolvency, with investigations revealing that most development work was performed by human engineers rather than AI, contradicting its core marketing narrative.
Problem solved
Businesses needed to build custom software applications quickly without traditional long development cycles or expensive development teams.
Target customer
Mid-market companies and enterprises seeking rapid app development without coding expertise; businesses needing custom software solutions with fixed pricing models.
Founders
S
Sachin Dev Duggal
Founder, Former CEO (Chief Wizard as of Feb 2025)
Advisor at Deutsche Bank (2000-2006), studied Information Systems at Imperial College London; completed MIT Entrepreneurship Masters Program (2008-2011).
H
Harsh Raj
Co-Founder
Limited public information available.
S
Saurabh Dhoot
Board Member (2018-2022), noted as Former Co-Founder
Founder and Executive Chairman of Videocon D2H Ltd; attended Imperial College London.
Funding history
Series A
$29.5M
Late 2018
Led by Unknown
· Unknown
Series C
$100M
March 2022
Led by Unknown
· Unknown
Series D
$230M
2023
Led by Microsoft, Qatar Investment Authority
· Insight Partners, Lakestar
Total raised:
$450M
Pricing
Per-feature pricing model with tiered speed options ('Speedy' at higher cost, 'Relaxed' at lower cost). Studio Store pre-packaged apps started at £75/month for 24 months. Custom development projects typically cost minimum $10,000+ for MVPs.
Notable customers
Makro (Southeast Asia's largest cash & carry), Learners India, PARKOSi, Dr Hassan Yasin (mental health exercise app)
Integrations
Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, DocuSign, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Cloudflare, SendGrid
Tech stack
Glide.js (JavaScript libraries)
Tailwind CSS (UI frameworks)
Open Graph
DocuSign
Cloudflare Browser Insights (RUM)
VWO (Analytics)
Google Analytics (Analytics)
Google Workspace (Email)
Cloudflare (CDN)
HubSpot (Marketing automation)
Google Tag Manager (Tag managers)
Amazon Web Services (PaaS)
OneTrust (Cookie compliance)
Sendgrid (Email)
Priority Hints (Performance)
Website
Competitors
Appian
Enterprise-focused low-code platform with deeper workflow automation capabilities.
Bubble
Pure no-code platform emphasizing user control and DIY development without human developer involvement.
OutSystems
Low-code platform targeting enterprise digital transformation with stronger governance and scalability features.
Why this matters: Builder.ai raised $450M and achieved a major partnership with Microsoft, positioning itself as a unicorn-track no-code AI platform. However, its collapse in 2025 exposed a fundamental disconnect between its AI-powered narrative and operational reality—a cautionary tale about inflated claims in the AI space and the challenges of hybrid human-AI service models. The company's failure despite massive funding highlights investor risk in platforms making bold automation claims.
Best for: Mid-market businesses needing custom software built faster than traditional development, though the hybrid AI + human model proved problematic in execution.
Use cases
E-commerce Platform Development
Makro used Builder.ai to create a proprietary eCommerce platform over 2+ years, building their entire B2B online presence without maintaining a large internal engineering team. This allowed them to launch and iterate on their digital strategy rapidly.
Vertical-Specific Business Apps
Restaurants, gyms, and educational institutions could use Studio Store pre-packaged templates to launch specialized applications (booking systems, membership management, course platforms) in weeks rather than months.
Mental Health & Wellness Applications
Entrepreneurs like Dr Hassan Yasin created specialized health apps (exercise and mood tracking for mental health) without deep technical knowledge, leveraging the platform's no-code interface.
Alternatives
Appian
Better for enterprises needing mature low-code platforms with strong governance; more expensive and complex than Builder.ai's approach.
Bubble
Best for founders and small teams wanting full control and transparency; pure no-code without human developer involvement.
OutSystems
Ideal for large enterprises transforming legacy systems; offers deeper integration capabilities but higher cost and learning curve.
FAQ
What did Builder.ai do? +
Builder.ai was a no-code AI-powered app development platform that allowed businesses to build custom software applications through a combination of AI tools and human developers. The platform offered Builder Studio for custom development, Studio Store for pre-packaged solutions (e-commerce, e-learning, restaurant management), and Builder Cloud for hosting. However, investigations revealed that most actual development work was performed by human engineers rather than AI, contradicting its marketing claims.
How much did Builder.ai cost? +
Builder.ai used a per-feature pricing model where customers paid based on selected features and speed preference ('Speedy' cost more than 'Relaxed'). Pre-packaged Studio Store apps started at £75/month. Custom development projects typically required minimum investment of $10,000+ for even minimal MVPs.
What are alternatives to Builder.ai? +
Top alternatives include Appian (enterprise low-code platform), Bubble (DIY no-code platform with full user control), and OutSystems (low-code platform for enterprise transformation). Each offers different tradeoffs in terms of ease of use, cost, and scalability.
Who used Builder.ai? +
Notable customers included Makro (Southeast Asia's largest B2B cash & carry), Learners India (education ecosystem), and various entrepreneurs building vertical-specific apps. Target customers were mid-market businesses and enterprises seeking to develop custom software without maintaining large engineering teams.
What happened to Builder.ai? +
Builder.ai ceased operations in May 2025 after entering insolvency proceedings when funds ran dry and creditors seized $50 million. The company faced allegations of revenue inflation (by up to 20%), with Bloomberg News reporting round-tripping practices between 2021-2024. CEO Sachin Dev Duggal resigned in February 2025, followed by the company's collapse three months later.
Tags
no-code
low-code
app development
AI automation
software development platform
business automation
enterprise tools