An analysis of startups utilizing 'vibe coding'—a development method where code is generated through dialogue with AI models—reveals that few projects reach a monthly revenue threshold of $100,000 or a total income of $1 million. The study examined projects that rely on AI-generated code rather than manual programming.
Successful cases include Medvi, a telemedicine service founded by Matthew Gallagher, which generated $401 million in revenue in its first year with 250,000 clients. Another example is a custom application builder by Maor Shlomo, acquired by Wix for $80 million in 2025. Peec AI, which tracks brand visibility in AI search, reached an ARR of approximately $10 million by late 2025.
Several projects failed to meet the revenue threshold despite media attention. For instance, Pieter Levels' flight simulator reached $1 million ARR but peaked at $87,000 in monthly revenue. Lumoo, a platform for fashion brands, reported €58,000 in monthly revenue, while Sabin Matos' security app reached an ARR of approximately $38,000 per month.
The research highlights that success in these startups is driven by factors beyond code generation. Key drivers include leveraging external infrastructure, such as medical or legal services, and effective marketing strategies. Most successful teams started with only one or two people, using AI to accelerate the initial development phase rather than replacing core business operations.
