Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Guest: Vishal Virani, Founder of Rocket.new

Episode Date: November 23, 2025
Theme: The Future of AI Software Development Belongs to Non-Coders

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Scott D. Clary interviews Vishal Virani, founder of Rocket.new, about the paradigm shift in software development powered by AI—particularly how non-coders can now build sophisticated applications. Vishal traces his journey from a farming background in Surat, India, to leading the AI-powered web solutioning platform Rocket. They discuss the challenges of building outside major tech hubs, pivoting away from a successful company, first principles thinking, and the evolving nature of software teams in the AI era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Upbringing: Building from Surat

• Surat’s Tech & Craft Legacy
  • Surat is the world’s largest diamond manufacturing city and notable for textiles—a place "all about the craft."
  • Vishal comes from a farming family and was the first engineer and graduate.
  • Quote [02:10]:

    “Internet does not have any zip code. It’s like free. You can learn anything from that. And that’s where I start building the curiosity.” – Vishal Virani

• The Impact of Location on Entrepreneurship
  • Despite investor skepticism due to his city and background, Vishal wanted to inspire others by showing that world-class tech can emerge from anywhere, not just major urban tech centers.
  • He leveraged Surat’s tight-knit community and existing tech talent to build his ventures.

2. Facing Investor Skepticism: The 'Pause'

• Investor Doubt and The “Pause”
  • Investors often hesitated ("the pause") when hearing about Surat as a base for a global tech startup, doubting the feasibility outside Silicon Valley or Bangalore.
• Turning Weaknesses Into Strengths
  • Lacking elite academic or professional credentials, Vishal focused on building a product that could “speak on behalf of you.”
  • Quote [13:11]:

    "If you have nothing, there is one thing that always can speak about you, which is your work, which is your product."

3. Rocket’s Evolution: From Device to Rocket

• Early Venture—Device (Figma-to-Code Startup)
  • Initial vision: automate software development by converting design files into code; faced skepticism in pre-LLM days about machine-generated code.
• Pivot to Rocket
  • As LLMs (Large Language Models) emerged, Vishal saw a behavioral shift: non-engineers wanted to build their own applications.
  • The team shut down Device, even though it was financially successful, to pursue a broader vision: a platform offering complete problem-to-solution experiences.
  • Quote [19:22]:

    “Do we need to choose the comfort, or do we need to choose the conviction? Because we have a conviction on the new tech... we chose the conviction over comfort.”

4. First Principles Thinking in Business

• Learning from Elon Musk
  • Vishal adopted the “first principles” approach, questioning fundamentals, learning deeply, and customizing solutions rather than merely copying established methods.
  • Quote [23:36]:

    "If you just focus on the methods, you will stuck somewhere. But when you understand from the first principle, you can invent your own methods."

• Practical Example: Avoiding Blind Imitation
  • Implementing frameworks like OKRs without understanding context leads to failure. Customization and roots of concepts matter for successful adoption.

5. How Rocket Works and Stands Apart

• Web Solutioning, Not Just App Building

  • Rocket enables users to describe their problem or app idea in 4–5 lines, and have a complete, customized, multi-screen application and recommended next steps produced in under 25 minutes.
  • Focus: minimize user cognitive load—not require prompt engineering or technical expertise.
  • Unique features include “slash commands” and uploading visual inspirations to refine designs instantly.
  • Quote [33:13]:

    “You just need to come in and give your app idea, like okay, I want to build this digital business... and Rocket will do the analysis... and come up with the complete concept.”

• Beyond Day-One: Solving Day-Two Problems

  • Rocket differentiates itself by supporting users post-launch: recommending improvements, scaling, security, analytics, and revenue strategies.
  • Challenges include balancing speed and depth; Rocket emphasizes quality comprehensive solutions over fastest output.
  • Quote [41:25]:

    “Everyone is just trying to generate the code and give it to the user... but no one is talking about like... how you will help me increase my revenue, handle my scale.”

6. AI’s Impact on Developers and Roles

• Will AI Replace Developers?
  • AI will reshape, not simply replace, jobs. Roles will evolve, e.g., from “front-end developer” to “AI developer” or “AI product designer.”
  • Mediocre or routine work will be automated, but experts and those who adapt by upskilling (especially in human-AI collaboration) will thrive.
  • Quote [62:35]:

    “If you will not adapt AI, AI will definitely replace you... all the mundan and the mediocre work will be replaced by the AI.”

• The Future Team
  • Early-stage validation can be done by solo founders; small teams can scale more quickly. Developers will be needed for specialized tasks, validation, and scaling—fewer but more versatile roles.

7. Hallucinations and Limits of AI

• Causes and Perspective on AI Errors
  • Hallucinations mostly stem from vague prompts or requirements. Both AI and humans make mistakes—yet users expect perfection from AI.
  • As specificity increases, hallucinations decrease.
  • Quote [71:23]:

    “Even human beings also hallucinate... if machine should be 100% perfect... after 30, 40 years of software development, still software are having errors.”

8. The Next Frontier: The Jarvis Moment

• The Coming Year
  • Vishal predicts everyone will soon have access to affordable personal AI assistants akin to “Jarvis” (Iron Man’s AI) for handling everyday work and decision-making.
  • Quote [75:42]:

    “We will see a glimpse of Jarvis with everyone... you no need to focus on any mediocre work or abundant and repetitive work—that will be replaced by AI for sure.”

9. Building Sustainable Businesses

• Sustainability vs. Hype
  • Vishal stresses the importance of sustainable businesses with solid gross margins, not just aggressive fundraising based on hype.
  • Success is measured in long-term viability, not just valuation.
  • Quote [78:54]:

    “Sustainable simply means like you need to have a good gross margin where you can survive... in the age of LLM... single digit or 15–20% gross margin is quite a risky business.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:00] Vishal Virani: “When you are trying to do something differently, always first time things challenge you. You need to just have a courage to do that attempt. If you get success, you can impact lots of life.”
• [11:12] Vishal Virani: “Don’t create a wall of excuse around you... It’s all about your will and a courage to build something.”
• [23:36] Vishal Virani: “Focus on the principles. If you just focus on the methods, you will stuck somewhere. But when you understand from the first principle, you can invent your own methods.”
• [33:13] Vishal Virani: "Rocket is a web solutioning platform... Just put a five-liner problem statement. Sit and relax. After 25 minutes, we will notify you your system is ready to review."
• [62:35] Vishal Virani: "If you will not adapt AI, AI will definitely replace you. AI will reform and restructure everything."
• [75:42] Vishal Virani: “We will see a glimpse of Jarvis with everyone... you will see a beta version of Jarvis in some form of applications.”
• [77:44] Vishal Virani: “Success is like, when I, everyone will start using AI in their day-to-day life... and that system is built from my city.”
• [83:15] Vishal Virani: “Just focus on one thing, make it perfect. Just give your 100% into one thing.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:10 – Vishal’s background, mindset, and significance of Surat
• 05:44–09:24 – Overcoming investor skepticism and choosing Surat
• 13:11–15:50 – How product strength trumps pedigree, dealing with "the pause"
• 15:56–18:49 – The story of Device and Rocket’s origin
• 19:22–22:58 – Knowing when to pivot, balancing vision and comfort
• 23:36–26:22 – First principles thinking: inspiration and practical application
• 33:13–42:26 – Rocket’s platform, features, and differentiation
• 62:35–64:37 – How AI is reshaping developer roles and job security
• 70:48–74:41 – Hallucinations, error rates, user expectations
• 75:42–76:26 – Vishal’s prediction: The “Jarvis” moment in AI
• 77:44–78:54 – Vision of success and building for sustainability
• 80:05–81:34 – Mental models and making focused, data-driven decisions
• 83:15–end – Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: Focus and avoiding distractions

Takeaways for Listeners

• Great tech can come from anywhere—what matters is vision, curiosity, and tenacity.
• Adopting first principles thinking is crucial for navigating rapid technological shifts.
• AI will change, not erase, the need for skilled people. Upskilling and adaptability are key.
• Sustainable business models and impactful products outlast hype cycles.
• Focus on output quality, user empathy, and building for the next phase—not just flashy demos.

Connect with Vishal Virani and Rocket

• X / Twitter: @vishalvirani91
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/vishalvirani
• Rocket.new: https://www.rocket.new

This episode delivers a roadmap for founders and developers navigating the AI-powered future of software—emphasizing grit, vision, and continuous intentional learning over hype or credentials.