Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship: How This AI-Powered Startup Studio Aims to Launch 100,000 Companies Annually

Henrik Werdelin has spent the last 15 years helping entrepreneurs create successful brands, like Barkbox, through his startup studio, Prehype. Now, with his New York-based venture, Audos, he aims to revolutionize the startup landscape. His goal is ambitious: to help “everyday entrepreneurs” launch hundreds of thousands of businesses using AI tools.

The time feels perfect for this shift. Many workers are rethinking their careers due to layoffs across various sectors. Meanwhile, AI technology makes it easier than ever to build digital products and services. Audos promises to assist those who might not have tech skills but want to create million-dollar AI businesses.

Werdelin’s move from Prehype to Audos reflects a global change in entrepreneurship. At Prehype, he was focused on traditional startups that aimed for big fundraising and billion-dollar exits. Now, he hopes to make entrepreneurship accessible to more people. He tells TechCrunch that Audos is about democratizing knowledge and tools for business creation.

For those unfamiliar with navigating AI or marketing, Audos provides the necessary resources. Using advanced social media algorithms, Audos helps users find their target audiences. “Platforms like Facebook have powerful algorithms. They excel at connecting you with your ideal customers,” Werdelin explains.

Audos has successfully launched hundreds of startups since its beta launch. Users find Audos through engaging social media ads, often prompting questions like, “Ever thought about starting something, but unsure where to begin?” Entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, such as a car mechanic and an AI nutritionist, are taking the plunge. Werdelin humorously refers to these small but mighty startups as “donkeycorns,” differentiating them from the well-known unicorns.

These entrepreneurs begin by clicking on an ad, engaging with an AI agent that helps them articulate their business ideas, and then quickly connecting them with potential customers. Unlike traditional accelerators that take equity, Audos operates on a different model. They take a 15% revenue share rather than ownership. Founders can receive up to $25,000 in funding, business tools, and help with advertising.

Werdelin is clear about the intentions behind this model: “We’re not interested in taking equity because we believe in the small businesses that fill our communities.” However, this revenue share could add up over time, costing budding entrepreneurs significant money in the long run. Some may see the trade-off as worthwhile, while others will question if the benefits justify the costs.

As the entrepreneurial landscape evolves, some raise valid concerns. Can AI truly build lasting customer relationships? And how will Audos stand out when many similar tools are emerging? Werdelin acknowledges that the market is full of AI solutions and competitors may offer similar services without long-term fees.

Still, investors are optimistic. True Ventures recently led Audos’s $11.5 million seed round. Partner Tony Conrad believes that many people are eager for a platform like Audos. He draws parallels with Instagram’s success, noting that AI can enhance efficiency and output, even if Audos isn’t aiming for billion-dollar valuations.

Werdelin’s vision speaks to a larger trend: making entrepreneurship available to a broader audience, especially as traditional job security fades. “We want to empower smaller entrepreneurs who create businesses that don’t require venture capital,” he states. As of mid-2025, this ambition seems increasingly within reach.

By fostering environments where more people can start their own businesses, Werdelin believes we can construct a stronger economic foundation. Audos attracts attention from notable investors, having garnered support from individuals like Niklas Zennstrom and Mario Schlosser, highlighting its potential in the evolving startup ecosystem.

Image: Audos co-founders Nicholas Thorne and Henrik Werdelin.

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AI,Audos,True Ventures