Build Club

Build Club is an e-learning platform and gig marketplace focused on artificial intelligence. It provides project-based learning, certifications, and connects AI learners and engineers with real-world business challenges, allowing them to earn income while building their portfolio. The company's business model is centered on a two-sided marketplace that serves both individuals looking to upskill in AI and enterprises seeking to train their teams or hire talent for specific projects. Revenue is generated from enterprise upskilling programs and a freelancer marketplace for AI projects.

Founded in September 2023 by Annie Liao, Build Club started as a weekend project among friends and evolved into a large AI community in the Asia-Pacific region. Before Build Club, Liao worked as a data scientist at Westpac, a strategy consultant at Boston Consulting Group, and an investment associate at Aura Ventures. Her experience in venture capital and a visit to San Francisco's builder communities inspired her to create a similar ecosystem in Australia to nurture AI talent. In 2024, the company raised $1.75 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Airtree and Blackbird to scale its platform. It also launched an accelerator program in partnership with AWS to help technical AI founders enter the U.S. market.

The platform offers several key services. For individuals, it provides hands-on, gamified AI education with a curriculum co-designed with professors and AI founders. For businesses, it offers custom AI solutions like chatbots and workflow automation, corporate training programs, and access to a network of over 10,000 AI engineers for hire. A significant feature is the 'bounty' system, a gig marketplace where companies can post paid projects for members to solve, facilitating practical experience and faster proof-of-concept development.

Keywords: AI education, e-learning platform, gig marketplace, AI talent, freelance marketplace, project-based learning, AI upskilling, corporate training, AI community, AI accelerator, developer education, AI bounties, AI engineers, technical founders, skills development, AI solutions, workforce reskilling, edtech, AI consulting, custom AI