My cofounder and I were rivals at hackathons. At 21, I've put college on hold to build a startup with him.
He was accepted into Singapore's top university, but had to request a leave of absence before his first day to build a startup in San Francisco.
This article follows 21-year-old Raymond Loong Ng and his cofounder, who transitioned from hackathon rivals to startup partners. They built an AI-driven startup, Makeable, which enables users to create physical products from AI-generated designs.
What happened
Raymond and his cofounder, initially competitors in hackathons, formed a startup after recognizing opportunities in AI-driven solutions. They built an AI tool for resume creation, a medical device for paralyzed patients, and later developed Makeable, an AI platform for physical product design. The startup received $1 million in funding and is now based in San Francisco.
Why it matters
The article highlights the growing role of young entrepreneurs in AI innovation, demonstrating how AI tools can bridge gaps in accessibility and product development. It also underscores the importance of real-world applications in advancing AI technologies.
- Collaboration between former rivals can lead to impactful AI solutions.
- AI tools are increasingly enabling non-experts to create physical products.
- Startup ecosystems like Silicon Valley provide critical resources for AI innovation.
The bigger picture
The startup's focus on AI-driven product creation could democratize access to hardware development, while their medical device highlights AI's potential in healthcare innovation.
The article showcases the journey of young AI entrepreneurs who transformed hackathon competition into a collaborative startup, leveraging AI to address real-world challenges and create accessible technology.
Technical details
- AI-generated 3D models and electronics for physical products
- Brainwave and eye blink detection for medical communication devices
- AI-driven resume-building tools for ex-offenders
FAQ
What is Makeable, the startup mentioned in the article?
Makeable is an AI startup that allows users to generate 3D models, electronics, and code for physical products based on text prompts.
How did the cofounders meet?
They met as rivals in hackathons before teaming up to build AI solutions, including a medical device for paralyzed patients.
What funding did the startup receive?
The startup secured $250,000 in pre-seed funding from Afore Capital, followed by a $750,000 follow-on investment, totaling $1 million.
This summary and analysis were generated with AI from the original article and may contain errors. Read the original for the full story.
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Originally published by Business Insider - AI on Oct 12, 2026.
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