This Startup Uses AI to Turn Ideas Into Actionable Digital Products – Buildink Startup Review

Building a digital product is like trying to navigate a maze without a map. Many aspiring founders find themselves stuck at the starting line, tangled in the frustrating web of planning and documentation. Despite the rise of no-code tools and AI, the crucial steps to define a product’s requirements often remain a time-consuming hurdle.

This complexity can drain both time and resources, causing even the best ideas to falter. Enter Buildink—a startup led by Stian Hansen and Belen Espinosa, designed to simplify this journey. With their innovative approach, they provide a virtual AI product manager that helps ideators clarify their product vision and connect with the right people to turn their ideas into reality.

To dive deeper into how Buildink is redefining the planning process for aspiring founders, we did an interview to find out more about their mission and vision.

What is Buildink?

Buildink is a startup focused on simplifying the product planning journey for aspiring founders and business managers. Designed with your needs in mind, it specifically targets those looking to build a minimum viable product (MVP) or develop digital solutions for existing businesses. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur with a concept in mind or a business owner needing operational tools, Buildink aims to cater to your unique circumstances.

The main issue it addresses is the time-consuming nature of planning and requirement documentation. Despite the availability of AI and no-code tools, many struggle to clearly articulate their vision. Buildink acts as a virtual AI product manager that not only conducts product discovery but also generates essential documentation, streamlining the process. Imagine having a tool that not only lays out your thoughts but also provides insight into the right no-code resources and skilled talent required to move forward.

What sets Buildink apart is its structured approach. By focusing on producing clear product requirement documentation first, it ensures that your entire project is organised. This method aims to reduce time wasted on miscommunication, allowing you to focus on executing your vision effectively. Through this innovative service, Buildink is paving the way for successful digital product development.

Buildink Founders

Stian Hansen and Belen Espinosa form the dynamic duo behind Buildink. Stian, now the CEO, is recognisable for his background as a third-time founder. His journey kicked off at Google Nordics, where he honed his skills in growth strategy before venturing into product management and no-code development. Having faced the struggles of transforming ideas into tangible products, he understood deeply the frustrations non-technical founders encounter. Belen, serving as COO, brings a wealth of experience in sales and operations. With a stint at Uber in Latin America under her belt, she was pivotal in launching key markets, showcasing her prowess in fostering growth.

As they struck up their collaboration, they found common ground at the Antler accelerator programme in Madrid. This was where the seeds of Buildink were sown. Initially, their idea was to develop a SaaS product targeted at software agencies and freelance developers. After a soft launch and testing with over 500 users, they realised the challenge lay not in the product’s value but rather in the market’s willingness to pay for it. Users appreciated the value of the AI discovery process but sought additional support beyond planning.

Observing this demand led Stian and Belen to pivot their concept. They shifted focus from merely a software solution to creating a talent marketplace, positioning Buildink as a conduit between ideators and skilled professionals. Their innovative virtual AI product manager would help users refine their ideas and connect with relevant talent, enhancing the journey from concept to execution.

This transformation of thought is rooted in Stian’s personal challenges as a founder. He had experienced firsthand the painstaking process of defining actionable product requirements. The realisation that many shared this experience became the driving force behind their mission. In a landscape crowded with tools, they aim to differentiate Buildink by prioritising clear documentation that drives the project, setting the stage for a smoother development process.

Interview with Stian Hansen, CEO & Cofounder of Buildink

I had the opportunity to sit down with Stian Hansen, the CEO and co-founder of Buildink, to discuss the startup’s focus on helping aspiring founders and business managers streamline their product planning processes.

Q: Could you describe what Buildink does?

A: We assist ideators in planning their products using AI and connect them with relevant talent. Our main audience includes aspiring founders wanting to create their MVPs and business owners looking to develop digital tools for their operations.

Q: What specific problem does Buildink address?

A: While AI and no-code solutions simplify product creation, the planning phase, especially requirement documentation, remains inefficient. This inefficiency consumes time and resources that businesses cannot afford to lose when developing digital products.

Q: How does Buildink solve this problem?

A: We offer a virtual AI product manager that conducts product discovery and generates essential documentation for projects. We also recommend suitable no-code tools and connect users to skilled professionals to help kickstart their building process.

Q: Can you tell us about your founding team?

A: Buildink was founded by myself and Belen Espinosa. Belen, our COO, has significant experience in sales and operations, having served as a GM for Uber in Latin America. I come from a third-time founder background, previously working at Google Nordics in growth strategy before delving into product management and no-code development.

Q: What inspired you to launch Buildink?

A: I experienced the frustration of moving from concept to execution. As a non-technical founder, I found it challenging to articulate my ideas in actionable terms. I made the decision to learn product development firsthand, managing numerous projects through a leading no-code agency. I soon realised that many non-technical founders faced the same hurdles. This understanding motivated me to create a solution that eases the transition from ideas to tangible products.

Q: What were the early days like for Buildink?

A: We first met at the Antler accelerator in Madrid and began developing Buildink as a SaaS product aimed at software agencies and freelance developers. After a soft launch with over 500 users, we learned that while our AI discovery process provided value, users were hesitant to pay for it. Instead, they expressed a desire for follow-up support, prompting us to pivot Buildink into a talent marketplace to connect aspiring founders with skilled professionals and tools.

Q: How do you differentiate Buildink from competitors?

A: We focus heavily on tailor-made processes for building digital products, letting requirement documentation guide the workflow. We’re also working on enhancements to our AI product manager to streamline the management and design phases even further.

Q: Have you received any external funding?

A: Not yet. Our valuation is still being established as we focus on growth.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: In the next six months, we aim to improve our AI product manager, enhancing its conversational abilities and output. We’re also planning to incorporate recommendations for no-code tool stacks.

Q: Can you share some revenue details?

A: So far, we’ve generated around $10,000 in revenue. With our largest project on the horizon, we anticipate reaching $30,000 by next month. We currently serve about 300 customers monthly.

Q: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

A: Startup life demands immense commitment. You will face significant sacrifices and stress. If you’re ready to invest everything into your venture, take the leap. No one has it all figured out; everyone learns as they go.

Q: Are there any industry statistics you find noteworthy?

A: Yes. Approximately 10-15% of software costs stem from planning, and around 40% of development rework time could be avoided with better planning. A study by IBM indicated that the cost of fixing issues in the production stage is 100 times higher than in the planning stage.

Feedough’s Take on Buildink

Buildink is a breath of fresh air in the startup ecosystem, addressing a common pain point: the chaotic product planning process. Its AI-driven solution not only streamlines documentation but also connects founders with the right talent, positioning it as a game-changer. This dual focus on clarity and collaboration could disrupt traditional methods, making development more accessible and efficient.

For future growth, enhancing AI capabilities and expanding the talent pool will be crucial. As Buildink evolves, focusing on user feedback will ensure it remains relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. The potential for widespread adoption is high—expect to see more founders turning their dreams into reality with Buildink’s support.