Israeli Tech Entrepreneur Maor Shlomo Sells Solo Startup Base 44 for $80 Million
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli entrepreneur Maor Shlomo developed Base 44, a no-code AI platform, and sold it to Wix for $80 million within six months. Despite rapid success, he worked alone under intense pressure and was motivated by user impact rather than money. Following his mother's death from cancer, he founded a research fund to fight the disease using AI. Shlomo advises youth to prioritize practical skills over formal degrees and aims to continue innovating while balancing family life.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maor Shlomo created Base 44, a no-code AI software platform, and sold it for $80 million in six months.
- Base 44 enables users to build software by describing needs in natural language, attracting millions globally.
- Shlomo worked alone, endured months of sleepless nights to maintain platform stability.
- Wix acquired Base 44 in June 2025; Shlomo values impact and growth over financial gain.
- His mother's death from lung cancer inspired him to start a cancer research fund using AI.
- He advises young people to focus on practical experience rather than lengthy academic degrees.
Maor Shlomo, an Israeli tech entrepreneur, achieved a remarkable personal exit of $80 million within just six months by developing Base 44, a no-code software platform. The startup allows users to create websites, games, and tools simply by describing their needs in natural language, with the system generating the underlying code. Shlomo, who worked alone on the project, launched the first version during a vacation, initially as a casual experiment, but it quickly gained millions of users worldwide.
After serving 400 days in the elite 8200 intelligence unit and founding a previous successful company, Explorium, Shlomo was initially reluctant to start another business. However, Base 44’s rapid growth led to revenues of $1 million within three weeks of launch, with Shlomo as the sole employee. The intense pressure caused sleepless months as he ensured the platform’s stability, motivated by user feedback about how the tool enabled them to build businesses and manage projects.
In June 2025, Base 44 was acquired by Wix for $80 million, a figure that has since grown to over $150 million. Shlomo emphasized that financial gain was not his primary goal; he sought global scale and impact. He praised Wix CEO Avishai Abrahami and highlighted the benefits of joining a larger team. Despite the acquisition, Shlomo continues to focus on innovation and the potential of AI.
Shlomo’s personal life was marked by tragedy when his mother, his greatest supporter, died of lung cancer shortly after his exit and marriage. This loss inspired him to establish a cancer research fund, aiming to harness AI to combat the disease. He also advises young people against spending years on formal degrees, advocating for practical experience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
Looking ahead, Shlomo hopes to see significant advances in cancer research, continued growth for Base 44, and to balance his professional success with family life. He remains grounded, valuing money as a tool to pursue meaningful goals rather than an end in itself.
