---
title: "Helius CEO: AI programming will force startups to deliver prototypes before securing funding, intensifying product competition."
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/271427420.md"
description: "Helius CEO Mert stated that AI programming will compel startups to present prototypes before obtaining funding, heightening product competition. He shared his experience of creating Checkprice in a week using AI coding. As software iteration costs and time decrease, founders will need to show growth momentum to secure seed funding. This shift will favor those with strong distribution and storytelling skills, with the trend expected to start in 2026 and fully develop within five years."
datetime: "2026-01-04T14:22:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/271427420.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/271427420.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/271427420.md)
---

# Helius CEO: AI programming will force startups to deliver prototypes before securing funding, intensifying product competition.

Helius CEO Mert posted on the X platform that he created the seed-stage project Checkprice within a week using AI coding (vibe coding). He believes that as the time and cost of software and product iteration decreases, the startup model will undergo a permanent transformation. Founders can raise $100,000 in seed funding, and there will be no excuse not to demonstrate growth momentum or deliver a product prototype before seeking millions of dollars in funding. This change will lead to increased competition between products, and founders with strong distribution and storytelling abilities will dominate due to easier replication and faster iteration. Finally, he predicts this trend will begin in 2026 and fully materialize within 5 years.

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