A non-technical builder turned a half-day hackathon project into an AI voice-to-text app earning $15K to $20K a month
Louis Pereira's AudioPen turns rambling voice notes into clean text and sells only annual and two-year plans.
Subject: AudioPen (Louis Pereira)Annual and two-year subscriptions to an AI voice-to-text writing tool
Case Overview & Background
Pereira says he has no technical background but has built online tools for years. AudioPen started as a project built in half a day at a hackathon. He has grown it for about two years, and he told Indie Hackers it now makes between $15K and $20K a month. He charges only annual and two-year subscriptions, with no monthly plan.
How AI Is Used
Step-by-Step Process
The first version was made in about half a day.
He kept growing the same tool for two years.
Only annual and two-year subscriptions are offered.
The interview lists social media and word of mouth as growth channels.
Customer Acquisition & Distribution
Limitations, Risks & Failure Modes
What may not apply to you, and what could go wrong:
- Self-reported range with no records reviewed
- Voice-to-text AI apps face strong competition, including free built-in tools
- The interview mentions dealing with DDoS attacks, a real operational risk for small apps
- Details beyond the introduction need a free Indie Hackers account
Key Takeaways
- A small hackathon build can become a real business if you keep at it
- Annual-only pricing can work when the product is used often
- Non-technical builders can ship AI products today
Sources
Indie Hackers: Building an AI tool in a half-day hackathon and hitting $20k/mo
Note: Founder interview by James Fleischmann. The public introduction states the $15K to $20K a month range, the annual and two-year pricing, and what the AI tool does.
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