The traditional startup cum business playbook is being rewritten. The question "You and what army?" – Once a dismissive challenge to solo entrepreneurs with outsized ambitions – has become almost quaint at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is democratising the ability to build and scale enterprises.
With the agentic era, gone are the days when launching a technology company or infusing tech into legacy operations required a small army of developers, designers, and business specialists.
Today, we are witnessing individuals or micro-teams wielding AI agents like master conductors, orchestrating complex business operations that would have required dozens of employees just a few years ago.
The implications are profound. Now, the limiting factor is not workforce size but the strategic acumen to deploy AI tools effectively. This shift is particularly evident in the rise of no-code and low-code platforms enhanced by AI.
These tools have evolved from simple automation solutions to sophisticated systems capable of building and maintaining complex applications. A solo entrepreneur can launch a product, iterate based on user feedback, and scale.
However, this brings its challenges. The successful solopreneurs of tomorrow will not be those with the largest teams or the most capital, but rather those who can think systematically about deploying AI agents across their business operations.
They need to be orchestrators rather than operators, and strategists rather than coders. This transformation will create high-value businesses off super lean teams; AI-native organisations from day one.
Traditional venture capital, will struggle to adapt to this new reality.
When a startup can achieve significant scale with minimal human resources, the standard metrics for evaluation become less relevant.
How do you value a company when its primary assets are proprietary AI agents and the expertise to deploy them effectively?
However, I recommend caution, not to oversimplify this trend. While AI agents are powerful force multipliers, they are not a magic bullet.
Successful micro-enterprises must combine AI capabilities with deep domain expertise and human judgment. They must understand that AI is a tool for amplification rather than replacement.
Looking ahead, I expect new business models built specifically around AI-human collaboration. These might include "agent orchestration platforms" that help entrepreneurs manage their AI workforce, or specialised consulting firms that help traditional businesses transition to AI-first operations.
The question "You and what army?" now has a clear answer: "Me and my AI agents." As we move forward, the competitive advantage will increasingly shift from human resource management to AI resource orchestration.
Those who master this new way, will not just compete with traditional enterprises – they will redefine what it means to build one.
Mbugua Njihia is a venture builder and solution architect
