Individuals with no coding experience are now realizing they have the ability to develop their own unique applications using vibe coding. Tools like Lovable are revolutionizing the process by translating simple language descriptions into functional code.
Using prompt-to-code platforms can be beneficial for creating prototypes, but transitioning them into full-scale production can pose challenges, especially in integrating the application with external tech services like SMS text messaging, email, and payment processing through services like Stripe.
Ilan Zerbib, a former director of engineering for payments at Shopify, is working on a solution to streamline the backend infrastructure complexities for non-technical creators.
Last year, Zerbib introduced Sapiom, a startup in San Francisco focused on developing a financial layer that enables AI agents to securely purchase and access software, APIs, data, and computing resources. Essentially, Sapiom is creating a payment system that allows AI to autonomously acquire the services it requires.
Each time an AI agent connects to an external tool like Twilio for SMS functionality, it necessitates authentication and a micro-payment. Sapiom aims to simplify this entire process, enabling the AI agent to autonomously make purchasing decisions without human intervention.
Amit Kumar, a partner at Accel, emphasizes the significance of apps consuming services that entail payments in the future. He commends Zerbib’s focus on the financial infrastructure for enterprises, as it is crucial for the functionality of AI agents. This recognition has led Accel to spearhead Sapiom’s $15 million seed funding round, joined by Okta Ventures, Gradient Ventures, Array Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Anthropic, and Coinbase Ventures.
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Kumar highlights that every API call, text message sent, or server spun up on AWS incurs a payment. This payment-centric approach underscores the critical role of financial transactions in app development and service utilization.
Although Sapiom is currently centered on B2B solutions, its technology holds the potential to empower personal AI agents to manage consumer transactions. The vision is for individuals to entrust agents with making independent financial decisions, such as ordering rides or shopping online. Zerbib, however, believes that AI won’t automatically drive increased consumer spending, hence his emphasis on developing financial infrastructures for businesses.
