Rapid Prototyping for Seed‑Stage Startup
We need it now. We need it fast. We need it cheap. And we need it to work without a PhD in AI.
Context / Need
Seed‑stage startups need to show traction yesterday. Founders must iterate on product ideas and demos at break‑neck speed while cash burns quietly (and investors loudly). Setting up AI infra from scratch? A luxury they can’t afford.
Main Actors
- Founders / CTO – juggling code, pitch decks, and existential dread.
- 2‑3 Developers – full‑stack, coffee‑powered.
- Early Adopters – beta users demanding shiny AI features.
Impact Timeline
| Horizon | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Immediate (Week 0‑1) | Prototype with working AI demo in days; founders save face in next investor call. |
| Mid‑Term (Month 1‑3) | Faster feature cycles; burn rate trimmed by reduced API bills. |
| Long‑Term (Year ?) | Either unicorn status… or a colourful post‑mortem on Hacker News – hey, at least the infra wasn’t the reason they died. |