Rediscovering software in the age of artificial intelligence
Some people believe that in the near future, companies will replace us all with superintelligent AI agents, and humans being involved in creative work will be a thing of the past.
We disagree. Instead, we envision a future where artificial intelligence makes us all more efficient, productive, and happier at work. Instead of using off-the-shelf tools, AI can automatically create and combine software to solve the exact problems we’re working on. With the right tools, we’ll help each other discover new ways AI can make our lives better.
Our principles
These core values serve as our cultural cornerstones, guiding how we interact with each other and with our users. They aren’t just empty words on a page — we use them every day to set goals, make decisions, and measure success.
Make people feel powerful
We’re building tools for people to become more efficient and effective at their work. If we do our job well, our users should feel like Ardent gives them superpowers.
Make it better than yesterday.
Everything is a work in progress, and all great things were accomplished one day at a time. By gradually making small improvements, we can create dramatic change.
Opportunity requires optimism.
The surest way to fail is to believe that you will. In order to see and seize opportunities, you have to believe that things will work out for the best over the long term.
Move with urgency and focus.
Software that can solve a user’s problem is always better than software that’s still in development. Focus first on the fundamentals, then deliver the rest incrementally.
Efficiency is leverage.
Time, energy, and money are all limited resources, and we have to actively avoid spending them on the wrong things. Saying yes to one thing means saying no to many things.
Clear the air.
Act with empathy and assume good intent. Give feedback that is truthful, necessary, timely, and kind. Don’t let negative energy grow by leaving bad feelings to fester.
Make and meet commitments.
Healthy working relationships require trust, which is built by creating clear agreements, reliably following through on them, and working with others as things inevitably change.
Keep a sustainable pace.
You can’t win a marathon by running at a dead sprint, and we won’t win simply by working more hours than everyone else. Taking regular breaks can lead to a breakthrough.
The team
We’re a small, fully-remote team who are driven to create software that helps people become happier and more productive. Our leadership team has deep experience and has been building startups together since 2009.
For over 13 years, Juan has been building robots, VR experiences, web applications, and developer tools across environments ranging from small startups to tech giants like Facebook and Stripe. He’s also an accomplished competition RC aerobatic pilot.
Erik is a design leader with 15+ years of experience building digital products at the intersection of product, brand, and engineering. He has led design for startups and global brands including eBay, Microsoft, Logitech, and Strava.
Nate has spent the last 20+ years building software and software companies, ranging from manufacturing, embedded software, productivity tools, developer tools, adtech, and fintech. Most recently, he spent a few years at Stripe obsessing about developer experience and generative AI.
Niki is an organizational psychologist who has spent more than a decade leading business operations and go-to-market teams in startups. She cares deeply about company culture and customer experience. She’s also an executive coach, mindfulness facilitator, and happiness trainer.
Fred has spent three decades building software products, platforms, and tools. His interests center on programming languages, developer experience, and AI tools that expand the scope of what people can build. He is fascinated by philosophy of mind and the deeper questions it raises about cognition, agency, and intelligence.
Our investors
We’re fortunate to work with some of the best early-stage investors in the software industry, and we’ve raised more than $2.5M to support our mission.
With additional support from Ligature, Coughdrop Capital, and the Triangle Tweener Fund, along with a group of industry experts from companies like Google, Stripe, Figma, Notion, and Replit.
Benefits and perks
Great things happen when talented and dedicated people approach problems from new angles and work together toward a common goal. We’re greater than the sum of our parts, because everyone brings their unique background, experience, and perspective to the table.
Work-life balance.
We offer unmetered time off, flexible working hours, and unlimited sick days to help you work at a sustainable pace. Contribution is measured by impact, not hours worked.
Real impact.
We’re a small team, so you have real influence on technical choices and product direction, and you can see the impact of your work firsthand.
Generous compensation.
As a small team, we look for top talent and pay above-market salaries. Every employee gets meaningful equity to ensure we all benefit from our collective success.
The best equipment.
You should work in an environment where you’re productive and happy. Every employee gets a MacBook Pro Max and a generous home office equipment budget.
Benefits, fully covered.
We provide excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family, with all premiums covered 100% by the company.
401k with a company match.
We help invest in your future by providing a 401k, and match your contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of your annual salary.
Grow in your career.
We believe that learning and growth are fundamental to success, so we offer career coaching, mentorship, and an annual learning budget.
Health and wellness.
We support your health and happiness by reimbursing wellness expenses like gym memberships, personal training, mindfulness-based apps, and more.
Interested in joining the team?