Builder.ai

Builder.ai, originally known as Engineer.ai, was founded in 2016 by Sachin Dev Duggal with the aim of revolutionising app development through AI-powered solutions. The company, based in the UK and the US with subsidiaries in Singapore and India, focused on simplifying the process of creating apps and websites for businesses and entrepreneurs without requiring technical expertise. 

Builder.ai raised significant funding over the years, including a $29.5 million Series A round in 2018 and $230 million in 2023 from investors like Microsoft and the Qatar Investment Authority. The company’s technology attracted attention, with Microsoft planning to integrate Builder.ai's platform with its Azure software.

In its early years, Builder.ai made bold claims about using AI to automate and streamline app development, positioning itself as a leader in the field. The company’s platform combined AI with human assistance to support users in building and scaling software projects without needing to write code.

In 2023, Builder.ai received recognition for its innovation, being ranked among the top in AI development by Fast Company. However, the company faced scrutiny regarding its AI claims and had to clarify its use of human engineers for certain development tasks. Despite this, Builder.ai continued to secure significant investments and maintained strong partnerships.

In 2025, the company underwent a leadership change, with Sachin Dev Duggal stepping down as CEO, and Manpreet Ratia taking on the role. Builder.ai continued to adapt to its evolving business needs but faced financial challenges, leading to the decision to enter insolvency proceedings in May 2025.

Builder.ai, originally known as Engineer.ai, was founded in 2016 by Sachin Dev Duggal with the goal of simplifying app and software development for businesses. The company aimed to provide a platform that combined artificial intelligence and human expertise, allowing users to create, run, and scale software without needing technical knowledge. Builder.ai's approach to development was designed to make the process more accessible to a wide range of users, from small businesses to large enterprises.

The company began gaining attention for its innovative model and its promise to revolutionise the app development process. In 2018, Builder.ai raised $29.5 million in a Series A funding round, which helped it expand its operations and enhance its platform. During this period, the company also brought in Robert Holdheim as an executive to help lead the business.

In 2019, a report from The Wall Street Journal highlighted that Builder.ai combined AI with human engineers for much of its development work. The company clarified that it used AI as part of a hybrid approach, integrating human expertise with advanced technology to deliver custom software solutions. Despite this, Builder.ai continued to grow and attract attention in the tech industry.

In 2023, the company secured $230 million in funding from high-profile investors, including Microsoft and the Qatar Investment Authority. This investment supported Builder.ai's plans to expand its offerings and integrate its platform with Microsoft’s Azure cloud services, further enhancing its reach in the enterprise market. The company also earned recognition from Fast Company as one of the most innovative in AI.

In early 2025, Builder.ai appointed Manpreet Ratia as CEO, while Sachin Dev Duggal continued to play an active role on the board. The company’s focus remained on expanding its AI-driven platform to help businesses build software efficiently. By mid-2025, Builder.ai had laid off a portion of its workforce to streamline its operations, ensuring it remained well-positioned for future growth.

Builder.ai’s mission was to simplify the process of software development by making it accessible to businesses without the need for technical expertise. The platform aimed to combine artificial intelligence with human expertise to help users easily build, scale, and manage software applications. By offering an easy-to-use platform, Builder.ai allowed businesses of all sizes to create custom software quickly, without needing to write any code, empowering entrepreneurs and enterprises to bring their ideas to life efficiently and cost-effectively.

Builder.ai's vision was to revolutionise software development by creating an ecosystem where businesses could easily build and scale software without needing technical skills. The company sought to make app development as simple as ordering a pizza, providing a platform that combined AI with human intelligence to ensure quality results. With a focus on accessibility, Builder.ai envisioned becoming the go-to solution for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large enterprises alike, helping them transform their ideas into reality quickly and affordably.

Builder.ai earned recognition for its innovative approach to software development. In 2023, it was ranked among the top companies for AI innovation by Fast Company. The company also attracted significant investments from leading players like Microsoft and the Qatar Investment Authority, highlighting its credibility in the tech industry. Builder.ai’s platform was acknowledged for simplifying complex software creation and helping businesses scale with ease. It was also recognised for its hybrid approach, combining AI technology with human expertise to deliver high-quality, custom-built software solutions.

Builder.ai offered a range of products and services designed to simplify the process of software development, allowing businesses to create and scale their software applications without needing deep technical knowledge. The platform combined artificial intelligence (AI) with human expertise to deliver tailored solutions for users, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Builder.ai Platform:
At the core of Builder.ai’s offering was its platform, which allowed businesses to build, run, and maintain custom applications. The platform featured an easy-to-use interface where users could create software by selecting pre-built modules tailored to their needs. These modules could be customised to create fully functional websites, mobile apps, or enterprise-level solutions. The platform’s AI-powered features helped streamline the process, providing businesses with recommendations and automating certain tasks to speed up development.

AI and Human Assistance:
Builder.ai integrated both AI and human expertise in its development process. While the platform’s AI could handle certain tasks, such as generating code, human engineers were brought in to manage complex or custom aspects of software development. This hybrid approach allowed businesses to create high-quality, custom applications efficiently, without relying solely on AI or human developers.

Custom Software Development:
In addition to the pre-built solutions offered through its platform, Builder.ai also provided custom software development services. Businesses with more complex needs could work with Builder.ai’s team of engineers to develop bespoke solutions that met their specific requirements. These custom projects could involve building enterprise-level software, integrating with existing systems, or developing unique features that were not available in the platform’s pre-built modules.

Industry-Specific Solutions:
Builder.ai also offered industry-specific solutions for sectors such as retail, healthcare, finance, and education. These solutions were tailored to the unique needs of each industry, ensuring that businesses could create software that met regulatory requirements and industry best practices.