In this engaging discussion, Ricardo Ghekiere, Founder of BetterPic, and Tanya Van Gastel from Multiverse AI, share their insights on transforming AI prototypes into thriving businesses. They tackle the pitfalls of the AI demo trap and emphasize the challenges of scaling one-time payment models. The duo also dives into the significance of transparency in business and the cultural nuances that impact global entrepreneurship. With personal anecdotes and hard-learned lessons, they offer invaluable advice for aspiring founders.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Bootstrapping Through Bad Product Phase
Ricardo shared how the product was initially very bad and almost embarrassing to show to anyone.
They refunded many unhappy early users while betting the technology would improve and lead to scale.
insights INSIGHT
AI Pollution Fuels Creative Boom
People polluting the web with AI projects is part of a new widespread creativity wave.
Building is now easy; marketing and dedication become the true differentiators.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build a Company, Not Side Projects
Building a real company requires more than an overnight AI project; it needs a full team and proper structure.
Success involves treating the effort as a company, not just a side project, to scale meaningfully.
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Turn your AI demo into a real business. In this episode of Life on Mars, real founders share their experiences, strategies, lessons, and mistakes behind building scalable AI startups and growing products beyond the demo phase.
Join Àlex Rodríguez Bacardit (CEO of MarsBased) as he sits down with Ricardo Ghekiere (Founder of BetterPic) and Tanya Van Gastel (from Multiverse AI) to discuss the hard truths about scaling AI products, how to build a sustainable business, and what it takes to move from prototype to profit.
🧠 What you'll learn:
How to turn a prototype into a profitable AI business.
Marketing tactics that still work for AI companies (SEO, affiliates, etc.).
The difference between side projects and scalable startups.
Why one-time payments are a funding trap for AI companies.
Subscription models, team culture, transparency, and avoiding common startup mistakes.
💥 Whether you're launching your own AI product or seeking to avoid common traps, this episode is packed with real-world advice that will help you build something that lasts.
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on AI startups, SaaS growth, tech entrepreneurship, and product development.
📺 Watch more episodes here: [Link a la playlist de YouTube]
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Intro: Why most AI tools don’t scale.
01:42 – Meet the guests: Ricardo Ghekiere & Tanya Van Gastel.
03:10 – The AI demo trap: Why cool tools often die early.
06:45 – Going from product to company: The real transition.
09:30 – Challenges scaling a one-time payment product.
12:00 – Subscription vs. one-off pricing in AI startups.
14:35 – The importance of marketing early (SEO, affiliates, and more).
18:20 – How BetterPic grew without paid ads.
21:50 – Why many AI founders avoid the hard stuff (distribution, customer support...).
25:10 – Culture and transparency in remote teams.
28:05 – Fundraising as a solo founder: Lessons from Ricardo.
32:40 – Turning an AI project into a real business: Final thoughts.
35:00 – Outro and where to find the guests.
👥 Guests: 👉 Ricardo Ghekiere – Founder of BetterPic 👉 Tanya Van Gastel – From AI Sheets, Multiverse AI
🧑🚀 Hosted by: Àlex Rodríguez Bacardit – CEO of MarsBased
Life on Mars - A podcast from MarsBased 
