bilt.me, an Estonian startup developing an artificial intelligence-native mobile app builder, has closed a €614.9k pre-Seed funding round to accelerate its expansion across global markets and enhance its platform capabilities.
The Tallinn-based company, which launched in 2025, has secured backing from Superhero Capital as the lead investor, alongside participation from prominent European founders including Markus Villig, the founder of ride-hailing unicorn Bolt, and Martin Sokk, founder of Estonian space technology company Lightyear.
The platform addresses a significant gap in mobile app development by enabling users to create native iOS and Android applications without requiring coding knowledge. By leveraging artificial intelligence as a core component of its infrastructure, bilt.me aims to democratize app development and reduce barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to build mobile-first solutions.
Positioning Against Global Competition
The funding announcement arrives amid growing competition in the no-code and low-code development space, a sector that has attracted substantial investment globally. However, bilt.me’s AI-native approach positions it differently from traditional app builders by integrating machine learning capabilities directly into the development workflow rather than as an afterthought.
Uku Joost Annus, speaking on behalf of the company’s vision, articulated a strategic perspective on Europe’s position in the emerging technology landscape. “We should be honest with ourselves. Europe is behind on energy, behind on chips, behind on AI infrastructure, behind on the frontier models – those races may already be decided elsewhere. But there’s one layer where Europe is still world-class: the application layer, turning AI into things real people use and pay for.”
This statement reflects a broader recognition within the European startup community that while the continent may face challenges in foundational AI research and hardware infrastructure, significant opportunities exist in developing practical applications that leverage these technologies for end users.
Strategic Use of Capital
The newly secured funding will support bilt.me’s efforts to expand its international presence while simultaneously investing in product development. The company plans to enhance its platform’s capabilities, potentially incorporating additional features that leverage artificial intelligence to further simplify the app creation process.
The backing from both institutional investors and established European founders suggests confidence in the startup’s execution and market opportunity. The participation of Villig and Sokk, both experienced in scaling technology companies, may also provide bilt.me with valuable mentorship and network access as it pursues growth.
European Application Layer Focus
The investment underscores a notable trend within the European startup ecosystem: while continental investors and entrepreneurs acknowledge Europe’s relative position in certain technological races, there remains substantial conviction around building world-class applications and consumer-facing products. For bilt.me, this positioning offers both market opportunity and the backing of investors who believe the application layer represents Europe’s most defensible advantage in the artificial intelligence era.