Can AI really design your home? 800,000+ users have already ditched their architects thanks to Maket, a startup using AI to simplify renovations from floorplans to permits.
In this Spotlight episode, Maket founder Patrick Murphy delivers a mock version of the real pitch that secured $2M in funding from top investors including Reid Hoffman’s Blitzscaling Ventures. Maket’s platform uses generative AI to help homeowners and builders create zoning-compliant floorplans, visualize renovations, and streamline the entire design process—all without needing an architect.
We break down what made Maket's pitch so compelling, challenge some of Patrick’s assumptions, and unpack the real-world lessons for other founders pitching complex AI products. Along the way, we discuss the difference between simplifying a process and truly disrupting an industry—and why most tools built 'for professionals' fail to scale.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn how Maket is automating architecture using generative AI
- Hear how Patrick convinced VCs with a story-first pitch
- Understand the strategic value of building a proprietary model
- Explore the pitfalls of targeting industry incumbents too early
- Discover how agent-based UIs are replacing SaaS 2.0
- See why traction and team matter more than early monetization
- Get tactical advice on presenting complex ideas to investors
If you’re building in AI, pitching a vertical SaaS product, or just want a front-row seat to a startup reinventing home design—this one’s for you.
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Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/
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