AI Wrappers: Real Business or Feature?
Wrappers are fine for Cash Flow, bad for Equity Value. To survive, you must own the "Workflow" or the "Data," not just the "Prompt."
What is Thin Wrapper?
Thin Wrapper is A UI that simply passes a user's prompt to OpenAI and returns the answer.
The 3 Core Benefits
Speed
You can build a wrapper in a weekend. It is the fastest way to get to $10k MRR right now.
Niche Focus
ChatGPT is general. You can win by being specific. "AI for Dentists" wins because Dentists don't know how to prompt engineer.
UX Moat
If you build a better interface than ChatGPT (e.g., Cursor for coding), you win. The model is a commodity; the UX is the product.
Turning a Wrapper into a Company
Integrate Deeply
Don't just chat. Connect to their database. Read their emails. The value is in the integration, not the text generation.
Fine-Tuning
Collect user data. Use it to fine-tune a model that is better than stock GPT-4 for YOUR specific use case.
Switch Models
Don't rely only on OpenAI. Build infrastructure to switch to Anthropic or Llama if prices change. Be model-agnostic.
Own the Distribution
If you have the customers' email addresses, you win. Even if OpenAI clones you, you can pivot because you own the audience.
Network Effect
Build a community. If users stay for the other users (not just the AI), you have a defensible moat.
Thin Wrapper vs. Thick Wrapper
| Feature | Thin Wrapper | Thick Wrapper |
|---|---|---|
| Defensibility | Zero | Medium |
| Value | The API Call | The Workflow |
| Risk | Sherlocked | Acquired |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will OpenAI kill me?
Yes, if you stay "thin." No, if you solve a boring B2B problem (e.g. "AI for Legal Compiliance") that OpenAI doesn't care about.
Is it investable?
VCs are scared of wrappers. But bootstrappers love them. It is a great "Lifestyle Business" model.
What is "Sherlocked"?
When Apple (or OpenAI) releases your product as a free feature. It kills your business overnight. Survive by being narrower.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
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