Dennis Xu, a serial entrepreneur in the technology space, has never been a coder himself yet has repeatedly launched successful startups. After co-founding the AI-powered note-taking service Mem, which received early support from OpenAI, he is now behind a new company named Adaptive Computer.
The goal of Adaptive Computer is to completely transform the way personal computer software is created and used by everyday people. Xu’s vision is for anyone, regardless of technical background, to develop and launch sophisticated applications through simple text prompts using Adaptive’s intuitive no code platform.
Recently, Xu and co-founder Mike Soylu successfully raised a seven million dollar seed round, led by Pebblebed, and joined by Conviction, Weekend Fund, Anti Fund, and notable individuals such as Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki. Pebblebed, the leading investor, was formed by experienced AI professionals including Pamela Vagata and Keith Adams, highlighting broad industry belief in the venture’s direction.
Reimagining Software Creation for Everyone
Xu, who left Mem in 2023, points out that previous generations of founders like himself relied on teams of designers and engineers to bring app concepts to life, which added layers of complexity and communication. With advances in large language models, Xu sees an opportunity to essentially put app creation into the pockets of ordinary people, empowering users to build their own personalized software from scratch.
The company’s focus remains on creating web-based applications, rather than any novel hardware, despite its name. Adaptive Computer’s development engine handles all the complicated processes behind the scenes such as database creation, user authentication, file management, integrating Stripe for payments, and embedding AI functions including image generation, speech synthesis, content analysis, and even web search.
Testing the product, currently named ac1 and available in an early “alpha” version, revealed its speed and simplicity. By simply requesting a bicycle ride log app, the tool constructed a fully functional JavaScript site — complete with database, tracking, and user sharing — all within about a minute, and without complicated setup.
Though these early apps did not yet interact with external fitness devices or third party services, they were robust enough for users to sort and compare rides, while protecting personal data. This real-world usability sets Adaptive Computer’s offering apart from many competitors.
Xu’s startup faces competition from established “vibe coding” platforms like Replit, which now caters strongly to non-coders, and emerging companies such as Lovable, which promises quick growth and user-friendly experiences. Where Adaptive Computer differentiates itself is its true focus on complete beginners, with no requirement to manage technical details like API keys, ensuring a more accessible experience for everyone.
Adaptive’s platform goes further, enabling different user-built apps to work together, much like an operating system. Early adopters have already created diverse tools, from AI driven story generators to online coffee markets and PDF text readers.
Three subscription models are available: a limited free option, a twenty dollar monthly plan, and a one hundred dollar per month Pro version, providing flexibility for various users. The service is clearly aimed at empowering non-programmers to take creative control in the digital world.
