What indie founders actually did
134 growth playbooks extracted from real founder interviews. No bios, no narrative — just the moves that worked, in order.
Neuro
Functional energy gum and mints for focus and performance
boot.dev
Interactive online learning platform for back-end software engineering skills
Sheets & Giggles
Direct-to-consumer eucalyptus bed sheets and bedding brand
Jenny AI
AI-powered writing and research assistant tools for students and researchers
Chatbase
AI chatbot builder that lets businesses create custom ChatGPT-style agents from their data
Chatbase
AI chatbot builder — train a ChatGPT on your own data/documents
Gravl
AI fitness app that generates smart, personalized gym workouts
Tally
Simple, free-first form builder with Notion-like UX for anyone
Van Man
Natural animal-based hygiene products (toothpaste, balms, deodorant) sold online
Tweet Hunter / Taplio (+ 5 new startups: SuperX, Outrank, Revid, Fever, Postinker)
Twitter/LinkedIn growth tools sold for $8M; now 5 new SaaS products at $400k+/month
Alia
E-commerce pop-up tool for email capture and on-site offers
Supademo
AI-powered interactive product demo tool for B2B SaaS companies
Charlie Chang (YouTube Channels)
Personal finance YouTube creator monetizing via affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and AdSense
ListKit
B2B lead database with verified emails for cold email outreach campaigns
Outrank
AI-powered SEO tool that automates content creation and backlink building
StealthGPT
AI tool that makes AI-generated text undetectable by AI detectors
Barn2 Plugins
Portfolio of 19 WordPress plugins and 1 Shopify app for WooCommerce stores
Voice Drop
Ringless voicemail platform with AI-powered personalized voice cloning for outreach
Cast Magic
AI tool that repurposes podcast/audio/video content into written content
Design Joy
Productized web and product design subscription service at $5,000/month
Baked Design
Anonymous design subscription agency offering monthly UI/landing page design services
Magai
All-in-one AI chat platform with access to every top AI model
Neural Frames
AI music video generator for indie and hobby musicians
Story Arbitrage (StoryArb)
Ghostwriting agency helping B2B executives build audiences on Twitter and LinkedIn
Faceless Video
Automates faceless social media video creation and daily posting for any topic
Swim University
Online education site teaching homeowners how to care for pools and hot tubs
Tiny Host
Simple drag-and-drop web hosting for non-technical users to share files online
Zeronel (Deal Neil / Zenevy)
Social media API aggregator letting SaaS apps add social features without direct platform integrations
Drop Magic
AI tool that creates converting e-commerce stores in 5 minutes
Journable
AI calorie counter and nutrition tracker app, primarily on Android
ShipFast
Next.js boilerplate codebase for indie developers to ship startups faster
Papermark
Open-source document sharing and analytics platform, alternative to Docsend
Arvo
AI-powered SEO tool for marketing agencies and business owners
Marketing Examined (Newsletter Portfolio)
B2B marketing newsletters monetized via ad sponsorships and services
The Birdhouse
Twitter ghostwriting agency for coaches, consultants, and education companies
Kleo
AI-powered LinkedIn ghostwriter that writes content in your voice
Cleo
AI content partner that helps you write and optimize content for LinkedIn and X
Pckgr
One-click app deployment for IT admins using Microsoft Intune
Goji Berry
AI-powered GTM copilot that finds and delivers high-intent outreach leads
CodeGuide
AI-generated knowledge base docs to reduce hallucinations in AI coding tools
Waitly
Waitlist and reservations platform for restaurants and businesses with waiting customers
Bank Statement Converter
Converts PDF bank statements into Excel spreadsheets automatically
Late
Social media API that lets developers post/automate across platforms via one unified API
Puff Count
Mobile app that helps users track and quit vaping habits
NoteForms
Form builder that integrates natively with Notion workspaces
Cursor Directory
A searchable directory for Cursor IDE rules, MCPs, and AI coding resources
Monai
AI-powered voice-input expense tracking app for mobile (iOS)
Goji Berry AI
Intent-based LinkedIn outreach tool that finds and contacts high-intent leads automatically
Momego
Real-time bus and train tracking app covering 160+ cities worldwide
Prop GPT
Sports betting analytics app using ML to surface high-confidence picks daily
Pushscroll
App that requires you to do push-ups before unlocking social media apps
Subscribr
AI-powered script writing tool for YouTube creators
Formula Bot (formerly XL Formula Bot)
AI-powered Excel and Google Sheets assistant for formulas, analysis, and data insights
Creator Buddy
AI coaching app that analyzes your tweets and helps you create better content
Save Wise
Earns credit card points and airline miles automatically for online purchases
Stagetimer
Browser-based remote-controlled countdown timer for live events and video production
Screenshot One
Screenshot API that captures website screenshots and delivers them programmatically
Data Fetcher
Airtable extension that connects and auto-syncs external APIs into your database
LaunchFast
AI-powered Amazon product research tool for private label sellers
Prayer Lock
Christian app that blocks your phone until you pray using AI-generated prayers
Cut Coach
Mobile app helping combat sport athletes cut weight for competition
Follow Buddy
App that safely shows who unfollowed you on Instagram using export data
Payout
Mobile app helping users find and claim class action lawsuit settlements
Scrape Creators
Pay-as-you-go API that scrapes public social media data and ad libraries
Sheets Resume
AI-powered resume builder and reviewer for job seekers
Superpower ChatGPT
Browser extension that adds extra features to the ChatGPT interface
Uneed
Product launch platform for indie hackers and bootstrapped startups, alternative to Product Hunt
Supergrow
AI-powered LinkedIn personal brand and content creation SaaS tool
SideGPT / Mission Control HQ
AI chatbot builder (SideGPT) and OpenClaw-powered AI agents dashboard for solofounder growth
App Alchemy
AI tool that generates mobile app designs fast, like Cursor but for design
Wrestle AI
AI-powered wrestling coach app that analyzes match videos and gives improvement drills
Audio Pen
Voice-to-text AI tool that turns spoken thoughts into clean, styled writing
DuckMath
Unblocked browser games website monetized via Google AdSense ads
Glow Up
AI-powered app that lets women virtually try on makeup looks
Habit Kit
Simple, visually appealing habit tracker app for iOS and Android
Tech Lockdown
Helps adults block websites and apps for intentional internet use
Algrow
Helps creators research and replicate viral video formats using AI
Locked
Gamified habit/focus tracker app with XP, leaderboards, and characters
SuperX
X/Twitter analytics and growth platform with AI content tools
Yadaphone
Cheap international calls via browser using VoIP, pay-as-you-go model
SiteGPT
AI chatbot builder that answers questions using your website's content
Stopper
Mobile app helping women stop sugar cravings via long onboarding funnel
SuperX
Analytics and content tool to grow your X/Twitter audience systematically
Distrib
SEO and GEO automation tool that helps websites rank on search and AI platforms
Bulk Mockup
Photoshop plugin that automates bulk mockup creation for print-on-demand sellers
Elephas (LFS)
AI Mac app to index local files, chat with documents, and create knowledge bases
Stopper (Stoppr)
Mobile app helping women (Gen Z) quit sugar cravings via subscription
Coherence
Mobile breath work app that helps users regulate their nervous system
Distribute (formerly Rebel Growth)
AI-driven SEO, LLM ranking, and social distribution engine for founders
Jim's Content Creator / Personal Brand Business
Daily short-form video creator documenting journey from Google engineer to online income
Lancer
AI agent that automates job discovery, qualifying, and bidding on Upwork
Setter AI
AI appointment setter that follows up and qualifies B2B leads instantly via phone
Uneed
Product launch platform and directory for showcasing tech products
Floga
Mobile app for yoga teachers and practitioners to build and practice sequences
ChartDB
Open-source database schema visualizer for developers, with a paid cloud tier
Sync2Sheets
Google Sheets add-on that syncs Notion databases into spreadsheets
IACrea
AI-powered home renovation visualizer — upload a photo, see a redesigned room instantly
Wishlist
A simple wish list app to create, manage, and share gift wishlists
37 Agency / Gosha's YouTube Channel
Creative direction agency and YouTube channel teaching aesthetic personal brand building
AI Solopreneur (Personal Brand / Info Products)
AI-focused solopreneur newsletter and info products for solo business owners
AI-Generated Ebook Brand (Joe Populus)
Sells AI-generated ebooks to middle-aged moms via Pinterest ads
Alex Aiden / Personal Brand + Closify
Personal brand in tech/SaaS niche generating 5-figure monthly via brand deals and dev agency
B2B Influencer Marketing Playbook (Jedi's Framework)
B2B influencer marketing playbook used by Lovable, Gamma, and n8n to drive growth
Brain Rot (BrainRot app)
Screen time app with a cartoon brain that decays the more you use your phone
Business Apps (Mobile App Builder)
Drag-and-drop mobile app builder for small businesses via white-label reseller agencies
Canvas Mode (formerly Rabbit Holes AI)
Canvas-based desktop app for power AI users to have branching, non-linear AI conversations
Clip.co (Smart Nonsense)
Animation studio and agency funding founders' own viral YouTube Shorts content
Draft.dev
Technical content agency writing developer-focused blog posts and tutorials for software companies
Epic Gardening
Gardening education blog and e-commerce brand selling gardening products
Fin vs Fin
Health and wellness product comparison/review site earning affiliate commissions
Floren Pop (Personal Brand / Content Creator)
Developer-turned-creator teaching audience growth, indie hacking, and content monetization
Graf (Graph.com)
AI data analyst for GTM teams: plugs into data sources, builds pipelines and dashboards
Hacker Residency
Month-long live-in residency program for indie hackers and bootstrapped founders
Hush Blankets
Premium weighted blankets and sleep products sold direct-to-consumer online
Indexy (+ SaaS portfolio)
SEO agency, SaaS tools, and affiliate portfolio generating $374k/month
Keegan's Real Estate Renovation Content (Instagram)
Documents a $267K property renovation on Instagram to build a real estate brand
lemlist
Sales engagement platform for personalized cold email outreach and prospecting
Lotsa (app flipping playbook — multiple apps)
Build, grow, and flip B2C mobile apps for 2-3x yearly profit exits
Natural Write
Converts AI-generated text into human-sounding text that bypasses AI detectors
Nifty (nfy)
Finds and surfaces unclaimed Ethereum airdrop rewards for crypto wallet users
Oceans
High-skill offshore staffing matching global talent to US/UK businesses full-time
OpenClaw (Profitable Founder Podcast AI Setup)
AI agent system on Mac Mini automating podcast content, community, and growth ops
PlayKit
UGC agency helping consumer apps scale downloads via organic TikTok content
RankingOnAI.com
SEO and AI visibility agency exclusively for SaaS companies
Rootd
iPhone app for panic attack and anxiety relief with guided tools
Royal Oak Cabin (Build in Public)
Documenting the construction of a luxury health-retreat cabin in Virginia on Instagram
Sideshift
UGC marketplace connecting brands with zero-follower creators for high-volume organic content
Snuggly (Larry / OpenClaw marketing skill)
AI agent (OpenClaw/Larry) automates TikTok marketing funnel for a home interior design app
Tabs Chocolate
Sex chocolate combining natural supplements into a luxury edible for couples
The Pathless Path
Self-published book about leaving the corporate "default path" to find meaningful work
Thomas Frank Notion Templates
Notion productivity and creator templates sold via YouTube content funnel
Tinker Club
Discord community and daily challenge platform for OpenClaw/AI agent power users
V (Veed.io)
Browser-based video editing tools for trimming, cropping, and basic edits
Valuer (Valu.r)
YouTube research tool that tracks competitors, finds outlier videos, and surfaces content ideas