In a surprising move, website building platform Wix has purchased Base44, a six-month-old vibe-coding startup, for $80 million in cash. The acquisition highlights the rapid growth and potential of AI-powered coding tools in the tech industry.
Base44, founded by Israeli developer Maor Shlomo, gained significant traction in its short lifespan. The company reportedly amassed 250,000 users and achieved profitability within months of its launch. In May alone, Base44 generated $189,000 in profit after covering substantial language model costs.
The startup’s success stems from its innovative approach to software development. Base44 allows users, regardless of their technical expertise, to create complete applications using text prompts. The platform handles various aspects of app development, including database management, storage, authentication, and analytics.
Shlomo, previously known for his work with data analytics company Explorium, shared his entrepreneurial journey on social media platforms. This transparency helped Base44 gain popularity through word-of-mouth marketing.
While Base44 isn’t the only player in the vibe-coding space, its rapid growth caught the attention of industry giants. The company secured partnership agreements with prominent Israeli tech firms like eToro and Similarweb before the Wix acquisition.
For Wix, the purchase of Base44 represents a strategic move to enhance its no-code website building offerings. By incorporating Base44’s AI-powered vibe-coding capabilities, Wix aims to provide users with more advanced tools for creating web applications.
The deal also includes a $25 million retention bonus for Base44’s eight employees, highlighting the value Wix places on the startup’s talent.
As AI continues to transform the software development landscape, the Base44 acquisition demonstrates the growing interest in tools that make coding accessible to a wider audience. While the concept of a “solo unicorn” – a billion-dollar company run by a single person – remains elusive, Base44’s success shows the potential for individuals to create significant value in the AI-driven tech world.
