Vibe coding startup Emergent has raised $70 million, led by Khosla and SoftBank (www.businessinsider.com)

Emergent, a rapidly growing AI-driven software creation platform, has secured $70 million in Series B funding led by Khosla Ventures and SoftBank, following a meteoric rise in annual recurring revenue from $100,000 to $50 million within just seven months. This surge is attributed to its user-friendly "vibe coding" approach that allows individuals with no coding knowledge—80% of its users—to successfully build web and mobile applications. The startup, co-founded by twin brothers Mukund and Madhav Jha as part of Y Combinator’s 2024 class, emphasizes reshaping how software is conceived and developed. The significance of Emergent's success lies in its ability to democratize software development, catering primarily to small business owners and novices. Users have shared inspiring stories, such as a factory owner in Mexico who developed a management system for 500 workers and a microbiologist who created a novel audiobook experience using AI-generated voices. With the increasing interest in "vibe coding," competitors like Lovable and Replit are also vying for market share, but the Jhas aim to excel by managing the full software development lifecycle, addressing limitations of existing platforms.