Universe launches GUS, an AI-powered designer in beta for its mobile website builder. Users can build and customize websites through a text conversation, making them accessible to anyone without coding knowledge. The tool aims to empower businesses and individuals alike, fostering inclusivity and creativity in web design. Universe plans to expand GUS to the web to cater to a wider audience. Founded in 2014, Universe has raised $47.3 million in funding, with notable investments from Google Ventures.
Universe, the leading no-code mobile website builder, has unveiled its latest offering – an AI-powered website designer named GUS (Generative Universe Sites) – available in beta. This innovative tool empowers users to effortlessly build and launch custom websites directly from their iOS devices.
GUS revolutionizes the website creation process by introducing a unique approach. Instead of relying on templates, users initiate a text conversation with GUS to commence the website-building journey. GUS starts by asking, “What kind of website would you like to build today?” Gathering initial details from the user, GUS then seeks additional information about design preferences, color schemes, and the desired number of pages.
Once equipped with the user’s vision for the website, GUS proceeds to generate a layout. This layout is entirely customizable, enabling manual adjustments without any need to handle code. For example, users can easily replace images selected by GUS with their own choices. Once satisfied with the result, users can publish their websites seamlessly.
Joseph Cohen, the founder, and CEO of Universe, expressed the company’s mission to empower everyone to create a unique online presence. He stated, “Generative AI lets us do this at an entirely new level: just tell GUS what’s in your mind and it’ll build it for you. Now, everyone on our iOS app can try the GUS beta. We hope we can give everyone the confidence and design support—from tattoo artists to general contractors to students to pragmatists to visionaries—to claim their corner of the internet with the computer they already carry around in their pocket every day.”
The GUS beta is currently available to all Universe app users on iOS. The company has plans to expand the experience to the web shortly, allowing access to GUS for users without an iPhone or those who prefer desktops.
Universe’s AI-powered designer joins a trend in the industry, with Wix having launched a similar tool called the AI Site Generator recently. These tools aim to help small and medium-sized businesses overcome challenges in website development and maintenance to enhance sales.
Besides serving businesses, Universe emphasizes the inclusivity and accessibility of web design through GUS. The AI-powered capabilities of GUS open doors for individuals from all walks of life to bring their creative visions to life on the digital canvas.
Since its founding in 2014, Universe has secured $47.3 million in funding, with a significant boost from a $30 million Series B round in December 2021, supported by Google Ventures, Javelin Venture Partners, Box Group, and others. This follows a $10 million Series A raised from Google Ventures in April 2020.
