After Shopify bought his last startup, Birk Jernström wants to help developers build one-person unicorns

After Shopify bought his last startup, Birk Jernström wants to help developers build one-person unicorns


The concept of solo-founded companies reaching billion-dollar valuations is gaining momentum as AI reshapes entrepreneurship. One platform aiming to fuel this movement focuses on removing backend complexities for developers launching independent ventures.

By serving as a comprehensive monetization infrastructure, Polar handles global billing, tax compliance, and payment processing through minimal code integration. This allows developers to concentrate on product development while the platform manages financial operations across 170+ countries.

The service’s developer-first approach attracted significant early support, including a $10 million seed investment from Accel. Investors recognize the growing trend of AI-native startups seeking streamlined growth paths without operational overhead.

Polar’s founder brings proven expertise in scaling user-friendly platforms, having previously co-built an eCommerce solution acquired by a major retail tech company. This experience shaped the current venture’s emphasis on empowering micro-businesses through technical infrastructure.

Since launching publicly, the platform has onboarded over 18,000 customers – primarily developers monetizing software products and SaaS solutions. Strategic partnerships with popular devtools ecosystems enhance its appeal to technical founders building AI-driven applications.

The service distinguishes itself through hands-on customer engagement, with founders personally handling daily support queries to maintain product-market fit. This operational philosophy extends to maintaining open-source components, fostering trust within developer communities.

Industry observers draw parallels between this movement and previous shifts in eCommerce accessibility. Just as earlier platforms simplified online store creation, current solutions aim to democratize global software business operations through API-driven services.

Looking ahead, the platform’s roadmap includes expanding integrations with AI development frameworks and productivity tools. This aligns with broader market trends where individual developers leverage advanced tools to create and scale niche products efficiently.

Early adopters range from indie hackers launching micro-SaaS products to technical founders prototyping AI agents. The common thread remains minimizing operational complexity while maximizing global revenue potential from day one.


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