Dutch startup Skylark launches to empower non-technical founders.

      A new startup named Skylark has officially launched today, with support from TNW. The company aims to empower non-technical founders to swiftly develop high-quality Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). To achieve this, Skylark has established an AI-enhanced framework that promises quick and efficient iteration cycles, allowing freelance developers to utilize the framework for building the MVPs while Skylark’s internal team manages client acquisition.

      Each solution is tailored to the founders’ objectives. By tapping into a pool of freelancers, Skylark can match developers to each project's unique requirements. The MVPs are built to scale in real-world scenarios, and throughout the development process, Skylark provides strategic insights and expert assistance to founders.

      “We enable them to launch faster, more affordably, and more effectively than traditional agencies,” says Steven Kleinveld, the startup’s CEO and co-founder. “This is primarily due to our framework.” Kleinveld has established connections with TNW, having recently completed an internship as a startup scout at TNW Programs, which he credits for initiating his plans for Skylark. He also selected TNW City as the location for Skylark’s headquarters.

      From Amsterdam, he has crafted a strategy for the rapid delivery of MVPs, starting with an evaluation of the client’s needs and goals. After outlining deliverables and timelines, Skylark conducts market and competition analysis to refine the project strategy. Developers then create a flexible, code-based prototype, which is subsequently polished into a final MVP. Clients receive the complete codebase along with guidance on its utilization, and Skylark provides additional support on features, design, SEO, and strategy.

      The initiative aims to address common challenges faced by non-technical founders.

      Many successful startups around the globe have non-technical founders, such as Ben Silbermann from Pinterest, Brian Chesky from Airbnb, Whitney Wolfe Herd from Tinder, and Evan Spiegel from Snap. However, numerous promising ideas never develop into successful businesses due to the founders' lack of coding skills.

      Kleinveld has personally experienced these challenges. While studying business at the University of Amsterdam, he attempted to code his own projects. “I’m not very technical, and it took me months to create not even MVPs, but just apps. It was frustrating because I had so many ideas,” he remarked. He found that many other entrepreneurs faced similar hurdles, with long development cycles causing delays in market entry and a lack of technical knowledge to effectively evaluate and collaborate with developers.

      Skylark seeks to address these issues, focusing on incorporating AI enhancements throughout the development process. Some of these enhancements include the app builder Loveable, which is rapidly growing in Europe, the code generator Cursor, and the flexible AI tool ChatGPT Pro.

      By integrating AI with a product delivery framework and a selection of developers, Skylark aims to support a new generation of founders. As Kleinveld states, “If the idea is grounded, we elevate it into the sky.”

      Whether you’re a non-technical founder or an experienced coder, this summer’s TNW Conference will provide valuable insights into building successful startups. The event will be held on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. You can receive a 30% discount on your ticket by using the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at checkout.