New Economies has released a comprehensive tech stack overview for AI startups. There's a lot of information, but when you break it down, the logic is quite straightforward.
It’s structured in four layers, from top to bottom.
The first layer is called "Scale with AI," which focuses on core tools for expanding businesses using AI. This layer is the most crowded and competitive.
In the Build category, we have Claude and OpenAI as foundational models. Then there are tools like Lovable, Base44, bolt, and Replit for building websites and writing code. Cursor is tucked away in Dev Tools. Here’s a detail to note: there are nearly 20 tools just for coding and product development. This space has definitely turned into a red ocean.
In the Agents category, names like Adept, Gumloop, 11x, and Serval pop up. To be honest, most people probably haven’t heard of any of these. But that’s exactly what highlights how early the AI Agent space is; there are no clear winners yet.
The second layer is GTM Tools, focusing on how to sell products.
For CRM, we have HubSpot, Attio, and Clay. Marketing tools include Jasper, Framer, and KlingAI. In design, there are two giants—Canva and Figma. This layer showcases a mix of traditional tools and new AI innovations, indicating that while classic SaaS solutions aren’t completely replaced, they are certainly under pressure.
The third layer is Operations, covering day-to-day activities.
Banks are using Brex and Ramp. For recruitment, there’s Rippling and Deel. Payments are still dominated by Stripe. In customer service, we see AI tools like Intercom and Lorikeet. For automation, Zapier and Make remain the kings.
The bottom layer is called Saving Time, featuring tools designed to help you be more efficient.
Notion manages documents, Linear handles projects, Slack facilitates communication, and Granola takes care of meeting notes. There’s also OpenClaw, which is that AI Agent product that was once all the rage.
Looking at the entire graphic, my biggest takeaway is that an AI startup might need to use 40 to 50 tools, from product development to sales and daily operations.
That’s a huge challenge in itself—there are just too many tools out there.
So, I believe the next big opportunity might not be creating another new tool, but rather building something that connects all these existing tools. The one who can help entrepreneurs cut down on open tabs will be the real winner.
The more tools there are, the greater the value of integration.
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