Israeli Developer Earned $80 Million for Six Months of Work
Maor Shlomo, an Israeli developer, has just achieved the nearly impossible—he built the startup Base44 in just six months and then sold it to Wix for an impressive $80 million in cash. This story is a perfect example of how artificial intelligence is changing the rules of the game in the technology world and enabling individuals to achieve results that previously required entire teams and years of work.
Base44 began as a side project that Shlomo launched in January 2025. The platform allows people without programming knowledge to create applications using natural language—simply describe what you want, and artificial intelligence handles everything. This concept, known as "vibe coding," represents a revolution in software development. During its first three weeks, Base44 grew to 10,000 users solely through word-of-mouth recommendations, without any advertising.
Rapid Growth
Base44's success was truly extraordinary. In its six months of existence, the platform grew to 250,000 users and generated monthly profits of $189,000 in May 2025, even after paying significant costs for large language model tokens. This growth was no accident—Shlomo quickly established partnerships with major companies such as eToro and Similarweb, which significantly contributed to the platform's expansion.
Shlomo was the company's sole owner, which is almost unheard of in today's startup world. Although he had a team of eight employees, the entire business was built on his vision and abilities. This approach proved crucial for rapid decision-making and effective management of the company's growth.
Acquisition by Wix
Wix, known for its website-building tools, recognized Base44's enormous potential. The $80 million cash acquisition was announced on June 18, 2025, and represents one of the most significant transactions in the AI startup sector. Of the $80 million, $25 million was allocated as retention bonuses for Base44's eight employees, demonstrating Shlomo's generosity and recognition of his team's contribution.
Under the terms of the agreement, Base44 will operate as a standalone product and will not be merged with Wix's main platform. Shlomo described Wix as the "best possible partner" for continued growth because the company has experience with similar tools and an extensive user base that can benefit from Base44's features.
A New Era of AI Startups
The Base44 story is proof of what artificial intelligence leaders such as Sam Altman and Dario Amodei have predicted—that advances in AI will soon lead to so-called "solo unicorn" startups, meaning companies valued at more than a billion dollars run by one person or a very small team. Although Base44 did not reach a billion-dollar valuation, an $80 million acquisition after six months of work is a clear sign of changes in the economics of software creation.
This success also illustrates the massive demand for the "vibe coding" movement, which has become one of the biggest themes of the AI wave. The ability to enable non-programmers to create functional applications using only natural language opens the door to an entirely new generation of creators and entrepreneurs.
The Future of Software Development
Wix's acquisition of Base44 signals an important shift in how we view software development. The traditional barriers between technical and non-technical users are gradually disappearing thanks to advances in artificial intelligence. Platforms like Base44 are democratizing software creation and enabling people with ideas but without programming skills to bring their visions to life.
Shlomo's success also shows that in the AI era, it is not always necessary to build large teams or secure massive investments. The right combination of technology, timing, and the ability to identify a market need can lead to exceptional results even with minimal resources. Base44 is an inspiration to other entrepreneurs and proof that the future belongs to those who can harness the power of artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems.
