Wix just paid $80M for a solo founder’s AI startup
Navigating the Future of Work Podcast and Submit your use cases for business and nonprofit.
Wix just paid $80M for a solo founder’s AI startup. You read that correctly.
The 22-Year-Old in the Dorm Is Coming for Your Business
There’s a 22-year-old in a college dorm right now building an AI tool that might one day disrupt your entire business model. And they’re not asking permission.
They’re not worried about legacy systems, middle management, or “the way we’ve always done it.”
They're just shipping.
Let that sink in.
I just finished watching the documentary Netflix vs. The World and I highly recommend you do too. It's a masterclass in how innovation is never convenient… but it’s always necessary. Blockbuster didn’t die because it didn’t have the resources. It died because it didn’t adapt. Because they didn’t believe someone new could beat them at their own game.
And yet, it happened. Again and again. Kodak. Nokia. Borders. Insert your industry here.
Fast forward to today:
Wix just acquired Base 44, an AI tool for developers, for $80 million.
It was built by one person in six months.
He’s 31 years old.
We’re not just entering the AI age.
We’re already in it.
And billion-dollar companies will be built by teams of one.
Or none. (Just wait for AI co-founders…)
So what does this mean for you?
Something to Think About:
If a solopreneur can disrupt an entire industry in months, what’s stopping you with a full team from reimagining part of your business?
What customer pain points have you accepted as “just the way it is”?
What manual or outdated processes could be radically improved using AI today not next year?
Potential Solutions:
Run an Innovation Sprint.
Pick one part of your business. Gather a small team. Ask: “If we were starting from scratch today, how would we solve this differently?”Appoint an AI Champion.
You don’t need to become an AI expert overnight but someone on your team should be exploring tools, workflows, and efficiencies right now.Experiment Fast.
Launch small pilots. Use no-code tools. Test AI use cases. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.Get Inspired.
Watch documentaries like Netflix vs. The World. Read up on founders disrupting your space. Let that fire light your own ideas. I just watched it and enjoyed it.
Innovation doesn’t come with a calendar invite.
It often shows up quietly in a dorm room, in a startup, or inside your own team if you give them the space.
Disruption doesn’t care how long you’ve been in business.
But reinvention? That’s your move.
Navigating the Future of Work
Podcast led by Paul Fisher. Thank you for having me on, Paul.
We Discuss Themes Like…
The importance of passion and curiosity
The role of ethical leadership
The critical need for up-skilling across ALL age groups
The balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining human values
The potential biases in AI technology
Proving Ground by The Circuit
Submit your AI use cases by July 18 if you are looking for assistance in your AI project. The project will be built by professionals and provided up to $100,000 in funding for the development. Must be in the Greater Cincinnati region to apply. No fee to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity. Best of luck to you all!
Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit Hackathon
Nonprofits submit your use cases by July 15.
We are moving at the speed of AI with this incredible team from Disruption Now and many volunteers from the CincyAI community are leading an in person nonprofit hackathon on September 6.
The Future of Data Hackathon is a one-day event and the precursor to MidwestCon, bringing together teams of students and professionals to help Cincinnati-area nonprofits solve real technology and data challenges.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iP8r1bPa5ztnDBObM8qavkUlGqsF80nZDNcGeOwKfm0/edit
2025 AI Adventures
New events are added weekly. Since our community spans over 32 states, we’re making it easier than ever for you to join the conversation from anywhere. These virtual sessions are designed to be interactive and packed with real use cases you can apply immediately.
July
July 14 -16 Black Tech Week https://blacktechweek.com/
This in person event in Cincinnati, OH. Emmy-winning actress, producer, and founder of KeyTV Network, Keke Palmer, will be the keynote. One goal in mind: to connect entrepreneurs and technologists to game changing resources, knowledge, investors and most importantly - one another.
July 16 Technology First AI Simplified Workshop from 8:30-10:30 in person in Dayton, OH. Bring your laptop. https://www.technologyfirst.org/event-6074735
July 17 Women Leaders in AI panel from 4-6 pm https://4atc.com/ai-aged-vines-women-in-tech-connect/. Small group discussion and sharing successes and challenges.
July 24 Fort Thomas Google Marketing and AI for Social Media from 12-1 in person. https://business.nkychamber.com/events/Details/fort-thomas-business-council-merging-google-marketing-with-ai-for-social-success-1267924?sourceTypeId=Website
August
August 5 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1344523669489?aff=oddtdtcreator
August 12 Miami Valley HR 11:15-1 in Dayton, OH https://mvhra.mightevent.com/events/event-Details.cfm?eventKey=8054
August 13 Crossroads Impact Summit for Nonprofits
September
September 2 CincyAI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only.
September 6 Nonprofit Hackathon- Nonprofits submit your use cases by July 15. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iP8r1bPa5ztnDBObM8qavkUlGqsF80nZDNcGeOwKfm0/edit
September 10-11 MidwestCon https://midwestcon.live/
This conference is gathering the top innovators, policymakers, creators, and visionaries from across the globe to tackle today’s emerging tech challenges.
September 18 Best in Tech Awards hosted by The Circuit from 5-9 pm https://thecircuit.net/event/best-of-tech-awards-2/
I love answering your AI questions. Feel free to message me.
Where AI and inspiration collide!
Kendra Ramirez
KendraRamirez.com
We provide AI Speaking and Training, AI Readiness Assessments, AI Strategy, AI roadmap and implementation, and AI Coaching for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits.
**For those new to my work, I have been in tech my whole career. Over 15 years of running my digital agency (website, social media, and lead generation) and 7 years of helping businesses navigate AI. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading over 100 training and speaking sessions, empowering businesses to embrace the transformative potential of AI. My passion lies in simplifying complex technologies to help organizations grow, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
I am so excited that you are on this journey with me! Thank you! 🤗
I have been writing weekly about AI here for over two years. You can search all of my enewsletters here if you are looking to brush up on a certain topic. kendratech.substack.com
Thanks Kendra! Always a sage soul.
Building on your “Run an Innovation Sprint” comment, I love the book “Sprint” by Jake Knapp. It’s a great how-to useful for beginners and advanced innovation sprinters alike.