Softgen Labs Inc
Softgen is an AI-powered web application builder that enables users to create full-stack web apps without coding. The platform operates as a self-selling corporation transitioning to a user-owned cooperative model, where value flows to the community rather than just shareholders.
Founding Story
Softgen was founded in 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany. The company gained significant traction when Domenico Gagliardi joined in late November 2024. Working without VC funding or an office, the team bootstrapped the company from $20,000 ARR to nearly $600,000 ARR in just 90 days. The rapid growth attracted Arising Ventures, which acquired Softgen in March 2025 to transform it into the world's first self-selling corporation with a vision to transition to a user-owned cooperative.
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Leadership
Founders
Domenico Gagliardi
Original founder who joined in late November 2024 and scaled the company from $20k to $600k ARR in 90 days before selling to Arising Ventures in March 2025. After the exit, he moved on to develop Kortix AI, focused on AI workforce management.
Executive Team
Kjerstin Erickson
CEO and Partner (via Arising Ventures)
Y Combinator graduate with an MBA from Oxford and degree from Stanford. Partner & CEO at Arising Ventures. Took over Softgen AI in March 2025 with the goal of pioneering the self-selling corporation model and transitioning to user-owned cooperative.
Gautam Agarwal
Growth Data Specialist
Currently building at Softgen.ai. Bachelor of Science in Information Science with specialization in Information Design from University of Maryland. Previously worked on data analytics and growth initiatives.
Business Model
Revenue Model
Annual membership license with pay-as-you-go AI usage pricing. Users pay $33/year for platform access and then pay only for AI usage at wholesale cost (30-50% cheaper than competitors). The company is pioneering a 'self-selling corporation' model with plans to transition to a user-owned cooperative where ownership shifts to the community as it scales.
Pricing Tiers
Access to the Softgen platform, 10 included projects, cooperative benefits over time, and wholesale AI pricing (30-50% cheaper than competitors). Pay-as-you-go for AI usage with transparent fees. Minimum $3 credit purchase to start.
Target Markets
- Individual developers and builders
- Non-technical entrepreneurs
- Startups building MVPs
- Small businesses needing web applications
- Agencies building client projects
- Students and learners
- Web application development
- SaaS product creation
- E-commerce websites and marketplaces
- CRM systems
- Job boards
- Travel websites
- Invue
- Wring
- Kathari Agency
- TheSparkBook.AI
History & Milestones
Acquired by Arising Ventures
Reached $600k ARR at time of acquisition
Added Claude Sonnet 4 support, Plan Mode, and Custom Prompts features
Launched Context Window Indicator and File Context Management system
Completed frontend architecture rebuild with Next.js 15
1 AI Tool by Softgen Labs Inc
Softgen
8moAI-powered platform that helps users create full-stack web applications without coding using natural language descriptions.
