Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Hashed reshapes its startup program as AI lowers the cost of building apps
AI tools let founders build products with fewer people and less money.
In South Korea, one founder with no coding experience made a running app that has about 300,000 registered users.
Hashed CEO Kim Seo-jun says that makes money alone less valuable as a service from venture capital firms.
He says investors should help founders build products, connect them with global companies and investors, and create communities where developers share experience.
Hashed has turned its Nitro program into an ongoing community where founders and developers can take part and exchange lessons; about 30 experts are involved.
Nitro invests 100 million won per team, with up to another 100 million won possible depending on progress and the company’s circumstances.
The extra investment is not guaranteed, and terms are negotiated individually.
About 300 teams applied for the first group, five were selected and four completed the program; Hashed plans to keep connecting with founders and consider investments as their products develop.
Hashed is reshaping its AI startup program as AI tools make it possible to build products with fewer people and less money.
The program, now called Nitro by Hashed, is shifting from supporting selected teams for a set period to an ongoing community for founders and developers.
Hashed says it can offer founders product-building support, connections to global companies and investors, and a community for sharing development experience.
Nitro’s basic investment is 100 million won per team, with up to another 100 million won possible depending on progress and circumstances.
About 300 teams applied to the first cohort, five were selected, and four completed the program.
- Who
- Hashed, led by CEO Kim Seo-jun, is changing its AI startup support program.
- What
- The program is being reshaped as an ongoing community, alongside investment and practical product support.
- When
- The new direction was presented on October 22. The article was published on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Hashed Lounge in Gangnam, Seoul.
- Why
- AI has lowered the cost of building software, changing what founders need from venture capital firms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kim Seo-jun said rapid improvements in AI coding tools and examples of small teams generating substantial revenue made Hashed question its existing investment approach.
Hashed launched its AI startup support program, initially called Hashed Vibe Labs.
The program shifted toward an ongoing community where founders and developers can join and share development experience.
KYRO founder Ahn Jung-woo said developing a feature had become faster, taking about a day rather than a week.
Kim Seo-jun presented Nitro by Hashed’s direction at an event at Hashed Lounge in Seoul.
- Basic investment
- 100 million won per team
- Possible additional investment
- Up to 100 million won, depending on progress and company circumstances
- Nitro fellows
- About 30 experts across areas including product development, branding, security, and law
- First-cohort applications
- About 300 teams
- First-cohort outcomes
- Five teams selected; four completed the program
What people are saying
In the past, giving money itself was an overwhelmingly great value, but money seems to be becoming a commodity.
If we kept doing things the way we always had, I thought we would be genuinely caught off guard.
When investing a large amount from a main fund, there are investors and responsibility, so you cannot invest quickly and lightly.