As AI tools like ChatGPT reshape the tech landscape, two former Google employees, Dhruv Amin and Marcus Lowe, saw an opportunity to pivot. They had been running Create, a platform connecting startups with freelance developers, which earned over $2 million annually. But the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 made them rethink the future of software development.
Seeing that AI could automate much of the coding their developers did, Amin and Lowe made a bold decision. In October 2023, they shut down their existing marketplace, laid off half their small team, and ended contracts with freelancers. “Within two weeks, we were back to an empty office,” Amin recalled.
From this fresh start, they rebuilt their company around AI-driven solutions. Their early products generated basic app components such as forms and calendars. By April 2025, their rebranded startup, Anything, launched a more advanced platform capable of building complete online businesses—including backend systems and payment integrations—without requiring users to write a single line of code.
The response was immediate. Within two weeks of the broader launch, Anything achieved an annualized revenue run rate of $2 million. Investors took notice, resulting in $11 million in funding and a valuation of around $100 million.
Even non-technical users have successfully built real applications on the platform, including a salon booking app and a dental health tracker. While AI-assisted coding is still in its early stages, Amin says embracing the technology early positioned the company for rapid growth and relevance in a transforming market.
Looking back, Amin described shutting down a profitable business as a difficult but strategic step. Their journey illustrates how AI tools like ChatGPT are enabling entrepreneurs to create entirely new business models, innovate faster, and scale more efficiently than ever before.
