AI Startup Studio Aims to Launch 100K Companies Yearly
▼ Summary
– Henrik Werdelin’s new venture, Audos, uses AI to help “everyday entrepreneurs” create businesses at scale, aiming to move from tens to hundreds of thousands of startups annually.
– Audos targets non-technical founders by providing AI tools and leveraging social media algorithms to identify niche customers and validate business ideas quickly.
– Unlike traditional accelerators, Audos takes a 15% revenue share instead of equity, offering up to $25,000 in funding and AI-powered tools to streamline business development.
– The platform has already launched “low hundreds” of diverse businesses, from virtual golf coaches to AI nutritionists, focusing on sustainable, small-scale ventures rather than unicorns.
– Audos raised $11.5 million in seed funding, backed by investors who believe in its mission to democratize entrepreneurship for non-traditional founders.
Entrepreneurship is undergoing a seismic shift as AI-powered tools lower barriers to launching businesses, and one startup studio aims to capitalize on this transformation by helping thousands build companies with minimal technical expertise.
Henrik Werdelin, known for co-founding Prehype and backing ventures like Barkbox, has launched Audos, a New York-based platform designed to democratize entrepreneurship using artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional startup studios that focus on high-growth, venture-backed companies, Audos targets “everyday entrepreneurs” looking to build sustainable, smaller-scale businesses.
The timing couldn’t be better. With widespread layoffs pushing professionals toward self-employment and AI tools simplifying product development, Audos positions itself as a bridge for non-technical founders. The platform provides AI-driven assistance in refining business ideas, developing digital products, and leveraging social media algorithms to find customers, all without requiring coding skills.
Werdelin describes the approach as “democratizing startup knowledge.” Instead of chasing billion-dollar unicorns, Audos focuses on what he calls “donkeycorns”, small, profitable businesses run by one or two people. Examples include a mechanic offering repair quote evaluations, a virtual golf coach, and an AI nutritionist, all launched through Audos’ beta program.
The model differs sharply from traditional accelerators. Rather than taking equity, Audos claims 15% of revenue indefinitely, similar to app store fees. In exchange, founders receive up to $25,000 in funding, AI-powered tools, and marketing support. While some may balk at the long-term revenue share, Werdelin argues the trade-off is worthwhile for those who lack access to capital or technical expertise.
Investors are optimistic. True Ventures led an $11.5 million seed round, betting on Audos’ potential to scale. Tony Conrad, a partner at the firm, compares the opportunity to Instagram’s early days, suggesting AI could enable even greater leverage for lean teams. Audos itself operates with just five employees, relying on automation to manage thousands of potential businesses.
Still, questions remain. As AI tools become more accessible, entrepreneurs may eventually bypass middlemen like Audos. The platform’s success hinges on whether its customer acquisition and support capabilities justify the ongoing revenue share.
Werdelin remains unfazed. His vision isn’t just about profits, it’s about expanding entrepreneurship to those traditionally excluded from the startup world. “The world is better with more entrepreneurs,” he says, emphasizing the societal value of small, sustainable businesses.
With backing from Offline Ventures, Bungalow Capital, and prominent angels like Niklas Zennström, Audos is betting big on a future where AI empowers millions to launch their own ventures, one “donkeycorn” at a time.
Image: Audos co-founders Nicholas Thorne and Henrik Werdelin.
(Source: TechCrunch)
