The Future of Building Software Isn’t Just Code—It’s Trust
Over the next five years, breakthroughs in AI-assisted coding tools and the rise of “low-maintenance” web frameworks have the potential to reshape the economics of software development—especially for small teams, solo founders, or “micro” startups. Today’s AI coding assistants (like GitHub Copilot or Replit’s Ghostwriter) already generate boilerplate code and speed up repetitive tasks. Meanwhile, frameworks such as htmx, Hotwire (HTML Over The Wire) and Phoenix LiveView are simplifying front-end work by pushing more functionality to the server. This intersection of AI and streamlined web technologies could dramatically lower barriers to entry, making it faster and cheaper than ever to launch software projects.
In a marketplace suddenly brimming with new products, the biggest challenge may no longer be about building an app but getting users to care.
In the following sections, we’ll explore how these trends might mature over the next half-decade, why they enable a new class of micro ventures, and how trust—often facilitated through community building and relationships—will become a critical deciding factor for potential customers.
