Founding in the AI Era: What Today's Entrepreneurs Need to Know

The landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting rapidly, and nowhere is that more evident than in the rise of AI-native startups. In a recent Idea Citizen Mentor Series conversation, Henrik Werdelin (co-founder of BarkBox and founder of Audos) and Monty Kothiwale (founder of QA Solve) joined Jackie Domanus to explore what it means to build in this moment of technological transformation.

A New Wave of Opportunity

Henrik described the feeling of encountering OpenAIs Playground in 2020 as akin to seeing the Mosaic browser for the first time: a moment of clarity about the future. "This is going to change everything," he said. The excitement is real, but so is the anxiety. Founders today are navigating a wave that is both thrilling and unpredictablelike whitewater rafting through uncharted territory.

The Rise of Vibe Coding

One of the most democratizing shifts in tech is the emergence of "vibe coding"  a term used to describe AI-assisted software development where non-technical users can build functional applications by simply describing what they want. Henrik and Monty both emphasized how this opens doors for everyday entrepreneurs, enabling rapid prototyping and experimentation without deep technical expertise.

Solving Real Problems, Not Just Building Features

Montys journey with QA Solve highlights a key lesson: the importance of solving real problems over showcasing features. Initially focused on reducing headcount through automation, Monty pivoted to a message of productivity and velocity. His AI-powered QA platform now helps engineering teams match the pace of LLM-assisted development, improving software quality without sacrificing speed.

Relationship Capital: The New Moat

Henrik introduced the concept of "relationship capital" from his book Me, My Customer, and AI. In a world where anyone can build anything, the differentiator becomes how well you connect with your customer. Authenticity, empathy, and deep understanding of user problems are the new competitive advantages.

Visibility Is Strategy

Jackie emphasized the power of founder-led visibility, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. With over 1.5 million members in the Idea Citizen community, she encouraged founders to share their perspectives, not just their products. Comments, insights, and authentic engagement are powerful tools for building trust and awareness.

Final Takeaway: Build with Curiosity

Whether you're launching a startup or exploring AI tools to enhance your business, the message is clear: start with curiosity, stay close to your customer, and dont be afraid to build in public. The AI era is not just about technologyit's about reimagining how we solve problems, connect with people, and create value.

Want more conversations like this? Subscribe to the Idea Citizen newsletter to stay connected with future-focused leaders shaping what's next.