Dennis Xu, the co-founder behind AI note-taking tool Mem, is back — but this time, he’s taking on a much bigger challenge: reimagining personal computing with a no-code app builder designed for everyone, not just developers.
His new startup, Adaptive Computer, wants to make it possible for non-programmers to build fully functional, web-based apps using only plain language. With just a simple text prompt, users can instruct Adaptive’s platform — currently called ac1 — to generate everything from databases and file systems to user logins and payment features. And yes, it handles all the technical back-end work automatically.
Despite the name, Adaptive isn’t building hardware or physical devices. Instead, it aims to serve as a kind of AI-powered operating system for web apps — one where users can seamlessly build and connect different tools to simplify their daily lives.
The startup just raised a $7 million seed round led by Pebblebed, with contributions from notable names like Conviction, Weekend Fund, and even YouTuber Jake Paul’s Anti Fund. Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki also joined the round. Pebblebed itself is a new fund backed by ex-Stripe and ex-Slack engineers — Pamela Vagata and Keith Adams — with deep AI roots.
A Text-to-App Platform for Everyday Creators
Xu knows what it’s like to have an idea without the technical skills to build it. That’s why Adaptive Computer targets people like him — creative thinkers who don’t write code. Before large language models like GPT, Xu had to work through layers of designers and developers to bring his ideas to life. Now, he envisions a world where anyone can build apps as easily as sending a message.
During a live demo, Xu entered a prompt to build a “bicycle ride log” app. Within a minute, Adaptive generated a working JavaScript app — complete with a back-end database, ride comparisons, and data sorting — all without needing extra configuration. While it didn’t connect to third-party wearables like smartwatches just yet, the end result was a shareable, live website that respected data privacy.
Adaptive also integrates core app-building features: Stripe payments, scheduled tasks, AI-driven tools like image generation, speech synthesis, content analysis, and more. Apps built on the platform can even interact with one another — for example, one user’s file-hosting app can connect to another’s PDF reader.
Not Just Another No-Code Tool
The no-code movement isn’t new. Popular platforms like Replit and Lovable have drawn millions of users by promising easy app creation through AI. But according to Xu, these platforms still lean heavily on developer knowledge. Replit, for instance, often asks users to input their own API keys — a step that can feel like a roadblock for true beginners.
By contrast, Adaptive’s goal is to eliminate friction for non-technical users entirely. Xu describes their typical user as someone building tools for others, not just tinkering for fun. It’s this user-centric mindset that sets Adaptive apart.
Early adopters have already created an AI storytelling tool, a coffee bean e-commerce store, and a text-to-speech reader for PDFs — all from natural language prompts.
The startup offers three pricing tiers: a free version with limited functionality, a $20/month plan, and a $100/month Creator Pro plan for users building more advanced or commercial tools.
With Adaptive, the dream of building your own software — without touching a line of code — is no longer reserved for tech-savvy insiders. It’s opening up app creation to everyone with a good idea and a few words.
