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Behind the Craft

We were going to shut down our company…now we’re worth $700M | Eric Simons (Bolt)

Feb 23, 2025
In this discussion, Eric Simons, CEO of Bolt, shares his journey from nearly shutting down to skyrocketing to a $700M valuation in just two months. He demonstrates how Bolt enables users to build a $2B mobile app in 15 minutes, highlighting the power of AI in streamlining coding. Eric dives into the complexities of app development, the secrets of 'vibe coding,' and how to enhance user interfaces using AI. He also reveals strategies for effective prototyping and scaling from 0 to 3 million users.
48:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Bolt transformed from nearly shutting down to achieving $20M ARR in two months through innovative AI models and enhanced technology.
  • The platform's text-to-app capability empowers users, enabling even non-developers to build functional mobile and web applications effortlessly.

Deep dives

Rapid Growth of Bolt

Bolt, an AI coding platform, experienced exponential growth, achieving $20 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in just the first two months following its launch. This impressive momentum is attributed to the advancements in the underlying technology, specifically the introduction of Sonnet, which significantly improved the platform's functionality. Initially on the verge of shutdown, the company successfully pivoted and accelerated its trajectory by embracing innovative AI models. The platform's appeal lies in its ability to rapidly generate usable applications, which has garnered a user base of three million within just four months.

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