Tune in as we unpack the dramatic rise and fall of Builder.ai, once hailed as a revolutionary AI-powered software startup. Promising to make app-building as easy as ordering pizza, the company raised over $500 million from major investors like Microsoft and Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.
But the dream collapsed into insolvency after internal audits slashed 2024 revenue estimates from $220 million to $55 million, and 2023 from $180 million to $45 million. Investigations exposed inflated, sometimes uncollected sales figures, dubious reseller activity, and serious concerns about financial governance.
Founder Sachin Dev Duggal and CRO Varghese Cherian resigned just before the collapse, while creditors seized cash and assets, triggering a default. Customers and employees were left in limbo.
We explore how AI hype, shallow due diligence, and “AI washing” fueled a bubble that burst hard—highlighting key lessons for founders, investors, and regulators. Don’t miss this cautionary tale from the AI frontier.
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