The AI Co-Founder: Going From Problem to Product as a Bootstrapped, Non-Technical Founder

About Tech Talent Live
One-person 'unicorns' - will it ever be a thing?
The jury is still out on that one, but there's no disputing the accelerative impact AI has had on the startup/business landscape - completely rewriting how efficient and lean founding teams can be. Lovable, Europe's fastest-ever growing startup hit $4m ARR within just 4 weeks with only 15 employees - a shining example of a new wave of AI-first startups making a huge impact with small teams.
In this session, we'll be exploring AI's potential for enabling a new wave of non-technical founders in turning their bright ideas into real-world, tangible tech products, without knowing how to code. With much of the world's knowledge now only a few prompts away, AI has the capacity to quickly fill knowledge gaps to a reasonable level, boosting founder agency to achieve more with less.
We'll be looking at how different AI tools can support with the many milestones of a startup, acting as a founding team to aid with; problem identification/validation and audience understanding; solution planning, branding and design; prototype development; through to product launch and marketing.
If you've ever had the desire to explore building a tech startup but not had the money or know-how to start - then this is the session for you. The landscape is changing, with technology democratising capability and access. Come along and find out how.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
One-person 'unicorns' - will it ever be a thing?
The jury is still out on that one, but there's no disputing the accelerative impact AI has had on the startup/business landscape - completely rewriting how efficient and lean founding teams can be. Lovable, Europe's fastest-ever growing startup hit $4m ARR within just 4 weeks with only 15 employees - a shining example of a new wave of AI-first startups making a huge impact with small teams.
In this session, we'll be exploring AI's potential for enabling a new wave of non-technical founders in turning their bright ideas into real-world, tangible tech products, without knowing how to code. With much of the world's knowledge now only a few prompts away, AI has the capacity to quickly fill knowledge gaps to a reasonable level, boosting founder agency to achieve more with less.
We'll be looking at how different AI tools can support with the many milestones of a startup, acting as a founding team to aid with; problem identification/validation and audience understanding; solution planning, branding and design; prototype development; through to product launch and marketing.
If you've ever had the desire to explore building a tech startup but not had the money or know-how to start - then this is the session for you. The landscape is changing, with technology democratising capability and access. Come along and find out how.
Speakers

I consider myself to be a non-technical founder, having developed my own startup using no-code tools. More recently, I have been exploring the use of AI, and 'vibe coding' products to bring my visions to reality.

He's also working on an eSports startup - Reset Reload - an online platform to provide sports psychology knowledge and training to aspiring eSports athletes.

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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk