YC-backed Vendo lets SaaS users build their own features via embedded agents
The startup aims to eliminate feature request backlogs by allowing end-users to generate functional micro-apps directly within a product's UI.
Vendo, a Y Combinator S26 startup founded by Nour Zahzah and Yousef Helal, has launched a customization layer that enables end-users to build their own features and micro-apps within the software they use. The platform embeds an agent into a product that analyzes the existing codebase, components, and APIs to assemble live, functional UI elements based on natural language descriptions from the user.
To ensure security and stability, Vendo utilizes a sandboxed execution environment. The system employs a QuickJS VM where components are compiled and run with Preact, returning a UI tree that the host application then renders using its own registered components. This allows users to automate workflows using the product's existing brand and guardrails without requiring manual developer intervention for every request. Installation is designed to be agentic, allowing a coding agent to integrate the platform into a repository automatically via 'npx vendo init'.
The battle against feature bloat
Modern SaaS products frequently struggle with the tension between diverse customer needs and the risk of "feature bloat." Traditionally, companies manage this through rigid roadmaps and long queues of feature requests, which can lead to user frustration and churn when specific needs are not met in a timely manner. Vendo attempts to solve this by shifting the creation of niche features from the internal development team to the end-user, utilizing LLMs to generate tools that operate within the host application's existing security and permission boundaries.
A shift toward generative software
If successful, Vendo represents a move toward "generative software," where the user interface is fluid and user-defined rather than static. By allowing customers to build their own tools on top of a product's API and design system, companies can potentially reduce development overhead while providing hyper-personalized experiences. This model transforms the product from a fixed tool into a platform that evolves in real-time based on the specific operational requirements of each individual client.
Pricing and availability
Vendo has introduced four pricing tiers to scale with different organizational needs. A Free tier is available at $0 per month, which includes $5 in monthly usage. The Pro tier is priced at $49 per month for multiplayer and collaboration capabilities, while the Teams tier costs $499 per month and includes governance tools. For larger organizations, an Enterprise tier offers custom pricing and includes air-gapped self-hosting options to meet strict security requirements.