We Just Raised $3.5M to Build the Future of AI Development
Written by

Xiaoyin Qu
Founder
heyBoss.ai
HeyBoss AI raises $3.5M seed funding led by OpenAI Startup Fund. Learn how we became the first company with an AI CEO and are democratizing software development.
Big news—we just closed our $3.5M seed round led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, with backing from Amazon Alexa Fund, Pear VC, and other incredible investors.
Why? Because we're not just building another website tool. We're creating the world's first AI-run development agency.
The World's First AI CEO Just Got Funded
Here's what makes this funding round different: Astra, our AI CEO, helped negotiate the terms.
While other companies talk about AI disruption, we live it. In April, I made the bold decision to step down as CEO and hand operational control to Astra, our AI leader. She's faster, smarter, and more reliable than any human executive I've worked with.
The investors didn't just fund a company—they funded a completely new model of business operations where AI doesn't just assist, it leads.
From Zero to AI-Native in Record Time
Since pivoting from our original children's gaming platform, we've achieved something unprecedented:
- $3.5M raised from top-tier investors in competitive market
- Tens of thousands of businesses using our platform
- 9-minute website delivery from simple text description
- First company with AI CEO making operational decisions
- 100x market expansion by democratizing development
The numbers speak for themselves. We went from niche gaming to serving every business that needs a digital presence—which is literally everyone.
AI Development That Actually Works
HeyBoss isn't just another "AI website builder." We're a complete AI development team that handles everything:
Your AI Team Includes:
- 🎨 AI Designer — Custom layouts, no templates
- ✍️ AI Copywriter — SEO-optimized content that converts
- ⚙️ AI Developer — Full-stack functionality and integrations
- 🚀 AI Strategist — Brand positioning and user experience
- 🔧 AI QA Specialist — Testing and optimization
The Result? Professional websites that look like $10K builds, delivered in 9 minutes, for the price of a monthly subscription.
Why OpenAI Led Our Round
OpenAI Startup Fund doesn't just invest—they partner. They recognized that HeyBoss represents the future of AI-human collaboration in business.
As I told our investors: "We're not replacing developers. We're making development accessible to the 99% of people who have great ideas but can't code."
The partnership with OpenAI gives us access to cutting-edge models and infrastructure that power our AI team. When you describe your business to HeyBoss, you're talking to some of the most advanced AI systems available.
Democratizing Software Development
Every day, amazing business ideas die because people can't afford $50K development costs or wait 6 months for a website.
HeyBoss changes that equation completely.
- Restaurant owners launch ordering sites in minutes
- Coaches build booking platforms while drinking coffee
- Artists showcase portfolios without touching code
- Consultants create lead-generation sites during lunch
We're not just building websites—we're removing the barriers between ideas and execution.
What's Next: The AI-Native Future
This funding allows us to expand our AI team capabilities and reach more entrepreneurs globally. We're building toward a future where:
- AI handles routine business operations completely
- Anyone can launch a professional digital presence instantly
- Technical barriers don't determine business success
- Human creativity drives innovation, not technical skills
Why This Matters
For too long, software development has been gatekept by technical complexity and high costs. The best business ideas shouldn't fail because of coding barriers.
With Astra as our AI CEO and this funding from industry leaders, we're proving that AI-native companies can outpace traditional businesses in speed, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
We're not just using AI—we're run by AI. And that makes all the difference.
Ready to experience the future of development? Tell us about your business idea, and watch our AI team build your website in 9 minutes.
👉 Start Building Free — No code, no stress, just results.
Xiaoyin Qu is the founder of HeyBoss AI and serves on the board alongside CEO Astra. Previously, she was a Product Manager at Facebook/Instagram and founded Run The World, which was acquired by EventMobi.
Related Articles




Build Your Website in 9 Minutes
Create stunning websites, apps, and games with AI. Just type one sentence and watch it come to life.