We Built and Sold Our AI Side Project for $30,000 in Just 3 Months — Visualize AI

Lately, we've been hearing a lot of stories about how AI is changing the game in different industries. One story that caught our attention is about VisualizeAI, a cool design tool for architects and interior designers. They built it in just three months and it quickly became popular, making $1,500 in revenue and $500 every month without spending anything on marketing. Then, in July last year, someone bought the tool for $30,000. It was a big win for the creators and showed how AI is becoming important in architecture and interior design.

In this article, we will look into the story of VisualizeAI, from its start to the moment it was sold. We'll talk about the founder's vision, the challenges they faced, and how they got users and made money.

Vatsal Sanghvi, co-founder of Visualize AI

How the project started

Vatsal came up with the idea for VisualizeAI after seeing the potential of using AI models to help architects and designers. He wanted to create a tool that would make their work easier and more efficient.

Vatsal teamed up with his co-founder, Rushab Jain who knew a lot about product development and architecture. Together, they made a plan to bring VisualizeAI to life. They wanted to use AI to solve the specific problems that architects and interior designers face.

Right from the start, the team knew who they were making the tool for and what it would do. They understood that architects and designers spend a lot of time coming up with ideas and trying out different designs. So, they wanted VisualizeAI to speed up that process and help them create awesome designs quickly.

Fast development and early success:

One of the most amazing things about VisualizeAI is how quickly they built it. They made the first version of the tool in just five days! They knew what they were doing and used existing AI technologies to make it happen.

They decided to focus on speed rather than making it perfect right away. They wanted to be the first ones to offer a working product to the market. So, they launched a basic version and started getting feedback from users. They wanted to see if people actually wanted a design tool like VisualizeAI.

And guess what? It worked! Soon after they launched, they got their first paying customer. That was a big boost for the team. It showed them that they were on the right track. They listened to what users had to say and kept improving the tool based on their feedback.

Growth stage

Even though they didn't spend any money on marketing, VisualizeAI grew really fast in just three months. More than 22,000 people visited their website and over 7,000 of them became regular users. Architects and designers loved what VisualizeAI could do for them.

There are a few reasons why VisualizeAI became so popular. First, it solved a real problem for architects and designers. It made their work easier and allowed them to be more creative.

Second, the team reached out to people in the architecture and design communities. They joined online groups, went to industry events, and talked to influencers. They spread the word about VisualizeAI and built a loyal user base.

Another reason for their success was that the tool was easy to use. They made sure that even people without much technical knowledge could use it. That made it popular among architects and designers who might not be tech experts.

As more people heard about VisualizeAI and saw how it helped others, they wanted to try it too. Positive reviews and testimonials from happy customers made even more people want to use the tool. It grew naturally because people found it useful and valuable.

Monetizing the platform

One of the biggest signs of VisualizeAI's success was that it started making money right away. In just three months, it made $1,500 in revenue and had a monthly income of $500. And they didn't spend anything on marketing!

“In the last 3 months, we were able to grow it to 100 paying customers (subscriptions + trials) and $500 MRR”,  says Rushab the other co-founder.

They had a free version of the tool, but they also offered extra features and options for a subscription fee. That way, people could try it out and decide if they wanted to pay for the extra stuff. It made it easy for people to get started with VisualizeAI.

The money they made showed that there was a demand for AI-powered design tools. People were willing to pay for something that made their work better.

The success of VisualizeAI also showed that there's a big opportunity for AI in architecture and interior design. As professionals in these fields want to work faster and be more creative, they'll be looking for tools like VisualizeAI. So, there's a lot of potential for VisualizeAI to grow and become a leader in the industry.

Acquisition and current projects

VisualizeAI's rapid growth and revenue generation caught the attention of the industry. In the following year, a startup from Canada specializing in real estate technology expressed interest in collaborating or acquiring VisualizeAI. This showed that the tool had value and potential, and the team behind it knew how to create a product that resonated with the market.

After discussions with the potential acquirer, it became clear that their resources and expertise could take VisualizeAI to new heights. The acquirer had a deep understanding of the real estate and property technology space, along with a network of industry partners and clients that could greatly expand VisualizeAI's reach and impact.

The acquisition also provided an opportunity for the founders of VisualizeAI to focus on other promising projects. As serial entrepreneurs with a successful track record in the AI space, they saw the acquisition as a chance to scale VisualizeAI while pursuing new ventures and innovations.

After careful consideration and negotiation, both parties agreed on the terms of the acquisition, which was successfully completed within three weeks. The $30,000 acquisition price reflected the value VisualizeAI had created in such a short time and its potential for future growth and expansion.

For the founders of VisualizeAI, the acquisition marked a huge milestone in their journey. It was Vatsal’s second sale of a generative AI product.

Following the acquisition, Sanghvi and Rushab shifted their focus to the growth and development of their other ventures, Audionotes.app and Podnotes.app. These projects aimed to revolutionize how people consume and interact with audio content and had already shown significant promise, generating approximately $40,000 in revenue over the past three months.

The success of these new projects shows the team's ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends in the AI space. Using their expertise in natural language processing, machine learning, and user experience design, they were well-positioned to create innovative solutions that addressed the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.

Looking ahead, the team was excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. With a proven track record of success and a deep understanding of the AI landscape, they were confident in their ability to drive innovation and create value across various industries. Whether through developing new AI-powered tools or strategically acquiring promising startups, Sanghvi and his team were committed to pushing the boundaries of what was possible with artificial intelligence.

Lessons to take away:

The success story of VisualizeAI offers valuable insights and lessons for entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry professionals looking to harness the power of AI to drive business growth and transformation.

Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing genuine needs within a specific industry. By deeply understanding the challenges and pain points faced by architects and interior designers, the VisualizeAI team was able to create a tool that provided tangible value and resonated with users. This customer-centric approach, coupled with deep domain expertise, was crucial to the tool's rapid adoption and success.

Secondly, the team's rapid development and early validation approach demonstrate the power of agility and iterative improvement based on user feedback. By quickly launching a minimum viable product and gathering real-world insights from users, the team refined and optimized VisualizeAI to better meet the needs of its target audience. This approach allowed them to stay responsive to market demands and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.

Moreover, the acquisition of VisualizeAI highlights the growing interest and investment in AI-driven tools across various industries. As businesses increasingly recognize the potential of AI to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth, the demand for AI-powered solutions is expected to continue rising. This presents significant opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups to develop and scale AI-based products that address specific industry needs and challenges.

However, the success of VisualizeAI also underscores the importance of having a clear monetization strategy and business model. By implementing a freemium pricing model and focusing on generating revenue from the outset, the team validated the market demand for their tool and attracted the attention of potential acquirers. This emphasizes the need for AI startups to balance innovation with financial sustainability, ensuring they can create value for both users and investors.

Finally, the story of VisualizeAI demonstrates the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships in driving AI innovation. By leveraging the resources and expertise of a larger industry player, the team scaled their impact and reached new levels of success. This highlights the importance of building relationships and networks within the AI ecosystem, as well as being open to strategic opportunities that can accelerate growth and drive long-term success.

Conclusion

The rapid rise and acquisition of VisualizeAI showcase the transformative potential of AI-driven solutions in the architecture and interior design industries. By identifying a clear market need, leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, and adopting an agile development approach, the team behind VisualizeAI created a tool that generated significant value for users and investors.

Their success story provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to harness the power of AI for business growth and transformation. It emphasizes the importance of customer-centricity, rapid iteration, and strategic partnerships in navigating the complex and evolving AI landscape.

As the founders of VisualizeAI pursue new ventures and continue pushing the boundaries of AI, their journey serves as an inspiration to the industry. It reminds us that with the right vision, expertise, and execution, AI-driven solutions have the potential to revolutionize industries and create substantial value for businesses and consumers alike.