Rork is an upcoming young startup disrupting the tech industry with their emerging mobile app development platform. It provides users without advanced technical ability the potential to quickly generate mobile apps just by typing in text instructions. Founders Levan Kvirkvelia and Daniel Dhawan started Rork with an ambitious plan in mind. The company’s evolution since then has made it a serious contender against legacy AI web coding platforms, like Lovable. Launched on February 12 after months of hard work and a strategic pivot, Rork has quickly garnered significant financial support, especially following a viral tweet that sparked widespread interest and investment.
Kvirkvelia and Dhawan, both experienced app developers since they were teenagers, set out on their entrepreneurial path with a purpose. They wanted to make something that would compete with Lovable. Kvirkvelia recognized the possibility for a mobile-specific version of the tool and persuaded Dhawan to change directions. This decision would become instrumental as Rork set itself apart from other mobile apps and competitors by focusing on ease-of-use and accessibility.
Dhawan sprang into action, launching San Francisco’s fundraising in December. While Kvirkvelia travelled down to San Francisco, his co-founder Kvaratskhelia remained at home in Georgia, focused on iterating the product. Yet the environmental justice duo faced immense challenges during this period. To stay afloat, they racked up almost $15,000 in credit card debt.
The breakthrough moment came when OthersideAI co-founder and CEO Matt Shumer decided to go big. He put $100,000 into Rork just 15 minutes after his tweet about the product was posted. It resulted—unexpectedly—for him—in his tweet going viral across the world with over one million views. This momentous attention led to such an outpouring of interest by would be investors.
“Rork lets you create entire iOS apps just by describing them! Zero. Code. Required. This changes everything for app development. Rork blows Bolt out of the water (and yes, I invested immediately after trying it)” – Matt Shumer
On the same day as Shumer’s tweet, Rork closed a $350,000 round of investments from a wide ranging group of angel investors. Dhawan called it a “pretty, pretty bonkers day” in response to how fast and furiously money started rolling in. Only two months post launch Rork was making a healthy $550,000 in ARR. This success quickly proved the startup’s business model was sound and just how intense market demand was.
Kvirkvelia confidently stated, “We are the Lovable for Expo. The Lovable for React,” underscoring Rork’s commitment to providing a powerful yet accessible tool for mobile app developers. The founders’ admission is a sign of their disadvantage in the competitive landscape. Yet even as they face a daunting fiscal cliff, Dhawan is quick to stress their status as “full underdogs.”
That opportunity for innovation would soon be realized and Andreessen Horowitz’s new Speedrun program would kick into gear. They recently led a $2.8 million seed round in Rork, attracting dozens of hungry backers eager to contribute to the Rork startup’s hot streak. Rork’s funding will allow the startup to further develop its platform. It’ll allow the company to expand its foothold within the mobile application development industry.