Builder.ai tapped into a new wave of companies wanting their own native apps with a turnkey approach, accelerated by the rapid digitization of life during the pandemic. That led to a $100 million Series C funding round led by Insight Partners last year, bringing the company’s total funding to $195 million.
It has now entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft, including an undisclosed equity investment in the startup. TechCrunch’s sources indicate the investment was “significant”, though we couldn’t get anything more than that.
The collaboration will see the two companies collaborate on AI solutions. Builder’s “Natasha” AI will be available to Teams users and made available when they want to build apps and software. Microsoft’s second quarter results showed that Teams has reached more than 280 million monthly active users.
Sachin Dev Duggal, CEO of Builder.ai, said in a statement: “From my first meeting with Microsoft to when we agreed to collaborate more strategically, one thing was really clear: Microsoft’s commitment to helping everyone reach their true potential. unlock.”
There will also be integrations between Azure OpenAI Service and other Azure Cognitive Services with Builder.ai’s software assembly line and adoption of the Microsoft Cloud and AI, in addition to partnerships between the Microsoft Developer Platforms.
“We see Builder.ai creating an entirely new category that empowers anyone to become a developer and our new, deeper collaboration, fueled by Azure AI, will bring the combined strength of both companies to businesses around the world,” added Jon Tinter, Corporate Vice President, Business Development, Microsoft.
