Despite the remarkable $14 billion surge in venture capital funding for startups in the generative AI space as of August 2023, Relume has chosen a different path by eschewing external investments in favor of bootstrapping since its inception in November 2021.
“We prioritize developing a product that generates revenue. Bootstrapping encourages us to enhance our offerings,” stated Dan Anisse, co-founder of Relume.
Originating in Sydney, Relume began as a component library tailored for web design platforms like Webflow and Figma, featuring over a thousand customizable components such as content blocks, navigation bars, and footers that can be effortlessly reused across websites. When ChatGPT captured global attention late last year, the Relume team, like many in the productivity tools sector, began exploring how AI could elevate their platform.
In August, Relume introduced an innovative generative AI feature to its web design platform. Users can now input a text prompt describing the website they wish to create— for instance, “XYZ is a food delivery app that connects local farms with your doorstep for same-day delivery.” The AI then swiftly generates an editable sitemap that can be reworked with just a click.
Once the sitemap is ready, users can switch to “wireframe” mode to visualize their site. Relume’s algorithms automatically fill the wireframe with components from its extensive library, allowing users to rearrange these elements. At this stage, users find themselves with a functional website.
Relume trains its web-building AI in-house by utilizing OpenAI’s large language model for interpreting prompts. The text outputs generated by the AI are seamlessly transformed into visual wireframes in real-time as the text aligns with the website's code.
To date, Relume has attracted around 54,000 users, with an impressive 10,000 registrations occurring in the two weeks following the launch of its AI features. The platform, conceived by a dedicated team of seven with backgrounds in major design firms like Canva and early-stage startup accelerator Antler, boasts a retention rate of approximately 90%, according to Anisse. With subscription plans starting at $32/month, Relume is targeting individuals, freelancers, and web design agencies, offering the ability to create up to ten websites per month instead of three.
The intent behind Relume’s AI integration is not to replace designers but to empower them. “While we provide 70% of the project, the remaining 30% still requires human input,” Anisse emphasized. “Our role is to handle the heavy lifting, while designers focus on critical elements like style guides, font selection, background choices, and color schemes.”
Fine-tuning occurs in Figma and Webflow, where Relume projects can be synced through a web plug-in in a compatible format. This sync enables a wide range of editing options, such as adjusting button shapes and colors.
The landscape of web design tools has swelled, from established players like Wix to newcomers like Universe, all seeking to leverage generative AI. Anisse asserts that Relume stands out by building upon established design systems, unlike competitors aiming to disrupt them. Operating within mature ecosystems grants the startup access to a vast user base, but it also poses the risk that dominant players could withdraw access at any time.
“It’s a strategic choice,” Anisse noted, highlighting positive feedback received from Webflow, including a public mention from its CEO on Twitter.
When questioned about the potential for copycat competitors, Anisse acknowledged, “Anything is possible with ample resources and engineering,” but expressed confidence, stating, “Our strength lies in our engaged community and the challenges competitors face in building their own component libraries from ground zero.”
Currently, Relume’s Slack channel features nearly 4,500 members actively discussing job opportunities, sharing project feedback, and exchanging insights on running design agencies. Although Relume is not actively seeking funding, Anisse stated they are open to strategic partnerships in the future with investors who recognize the unique nuances of design platforms.
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