How Henrik Werdelin’s Audos is Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship with AI

Henrik Werdelin has dedicated the past 15 years to empowering entrepreneurs in creating major brands like Barkbox through his startup studio Prehype. Now, he aims to scale that momentum with his latest New York-based venture, Audos, which leverages AI to support “hundreds of thousands” of aspiring business owners each year.

The Perfect Timing for a New Venture

Given the current climate of mass layoffs across multiple industries, many professionals are reconsidering their career paths. Coupled with advancements in AI that significantly lower the barriers to developing digital products, Werdelin’s latest venture positions itself at a pivotal intersection. Audos aims to empower “everyday entrepreneurs” to forge million-dollar AI companies without needing technical skills.

A Shift in Entrepreneurial Focus

Werdelin’s transition from Prehype to Audos illustrates the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. At Prehype, the emphasis was on collaborating with tech founders to create traditional startups that attract significant investment. Now, Werdelin articulates a broader mission: “We’re trying to democratize the knowledge and methodologies we’ve developed over the years for building successful companies.”

Empowering Everyday Entrepreneurs

Recognizing that many aspiring entrepreneurs may feel uncertain about entering the AI space or lack access to customers, Audos is eager to offer support. By providing cutting-edge AI tools that facilitate product development via natural language and capitalizing on social media algorithms, Audos helps users identify their target market.

Leveraging Algorithms for Customer Reach

“Platforms like Facebook are incredible at optimizing customer outreach if you clearly define your target audience,” explains Werdelin, co-founder of Audos alongside Nicholas Thorne. Audos employs sophisticated methods to rapidly assess whether a business idea has viable customer acquisition costs.

Successful Launches and Real-World Applications

Since its beta launch, Audos has successfully facilitated the creation of “low hundreds” of businesses. Founders have discovered Audos through targeted Instagram ads asking, “Have you ever thought about starting something, but don’t know where to go?” Their diverse projects range from car mechanics helping clients evaluate repair quotes to AI nutritionists and funeral logistics services. Werdelin affectionately labels these innovative small teams as “donkeycorns,” a nod to the unicorn model.

How Audos Operates: A Unique Revenue Model

Operating under a distinctive model, Audos does not take equity from the businesses it assists. Instead, it takes a 15% revenue share from the ventures it launches, while providing founders with up to $25,000 in funding, access to AI-driven business tools, and promotional support through paid social media ads.

Long-Term Considerations for Entrepreneurs

Werdelin states, “We’re not taking any equity in their business,” highlighting the focus on fostering grassroots entrepreneurship. However, some may view the continuous revenue cut as a significant trade-off, potentially costing entrepreneurs substantial amounts over time. The long-term implications of this model are ripe for debate.

Future Outlook and Investment Confidence

Despite potential concerns, Audos’s investors, including True Ventures—who led an $11.5 million seed round—are optimistic. Partner Tony Conrad observes that simple entrepreneurial ideas executed well, similar to Instagram, can lead to substantial success, even when the company is not pursuing billion-dollar exits.

The Vision for a Million $1M Businesses

Werdelin envisions a future where “we create a million companies generating million-dollar revenues.” This ambition translates into a trillion-dollar business landscape, reinforcing the importance of providing resources and support to individuals who previously lacked access to startup capital or expertise.

Emphasizing the Value of Small Businesses

Werdelin emphasizes the need for support tailored to smaller entrepreneurs who may not be on the radar of traditional venture capital. “The world benefits from increased entrepreneurship,” he asserts, echoing the sentiments of Audos’s diverse group of investors, including Offline Venture, Bungalow Capital, and prominent angel investors.

Pictured above, left to right, are Audos co-founders Nicholas Thorne and Henrik Werdelin.