#StartupsEverywhere: Daniele Bernardi, CEO, Toolhouse AI
This profile is part of #StartupsEverywhere, an ongoing series highlighting startup leaders in ecosystems across the country. This interview has been edited for length, content, and clarity.
Shaping the future of accessible AI
As AI continues to be at the forefront of innovation, Daniele Bernadi, the CEO of Toolhouse AI, is making the technology accessible for all. Using his background in computer science and developer relations, he is working to drive positive change in the AI space. We sat down with Daniele to discuss his company, the AI regulatory landscape, and more.
Tell us about your background. What motivated you to found Toolhouse AI?
I started studying computer science in Italy but found I learned better through experience. I started as a software engineer and then moved into developer relations early on in my career. I worked at Facebook where I discovered I could become a Developer Relations Engineer, a role where engineers could also talk to other developers. I fell in love with that job. After leaving Facebook, I joined Twitter’s developer relations team. It was an interesting time because Twitter had been a loved brand by developers but took actions to disenfranchise the developer community by making it harder and harder for developers to build off of Twitter API.
I wanted to reverse that, making sure that developers were included in the conversation while also closing the gap between the number of developers with access to AI. The market for developers is already large and is growing. What happens to the developers out there who are growing without access to AI? Does a developer in India, Italy, or Spain have the capital and time to go to the AI epicenter in San Francisco or New York? I wanted to democratize AI for developers and created Toolhouse.
What is the work you all are doing at Toolhouse AI? What kinds of users and businesses benefit most from Toolhouse AI?
Toolhouse is an AI company focused on connecting AI to the real world. Toolhouse allows every developer and engineering team, including those with no previous AI experience, to build agents easily and at an affordable cost. Tens of thousands of agents run every month with Toolhouse.
Since the majority of our users are currently in the U.S., we're now focusing on bringing Toolhouse in three main regions—Europe, the Middle East, and India—where the product is resonating the most.
Given the varying locations of your customers, how has AI regulation impacted your company? What are policymakers doing well, and what could be improved?
The problem with Europe is that it is very heavily regulated as a market. Rules like the AI Act make startups extremely wary, ultimately stifling innovation. Companies that adopt AI are in a waiting pattern because they want to understand the implications of such rules before moving forward. This forces startups into survival mode, diverting focus from innovation as they struggle to stay afloat.
How did your schooling in Italy impact your career choice in computer science? What takeaways are there for how we approach education?
I was very lucky that my high school had a computer science laboratory and access to computers. It was one of the first to have these resources and unique for the small community where I grew up. The experience fostered the interest in computers and motivated me to get creative and learn more about how the machine worked. Introducing students to technology early—both through hands-on experience and structured study—is crucial. Such an approach allows students to work creatively with technology, creating innovation across the world.
What are your goals for Toolhouse AI moving forward?
My goal is for every developer in the world to find their economic freedom. I want to make AI straightforward and affordable for every single person, similar to how everyone can use a phone. If a student today wanted to build a set of very small apps over the weekend, they could. They might make a small earning out of it at first, then grow exponentially, and change the world. I want everyone to have that opportunity, allowing everyone understandable access to AI to innovate further.
All of the information in this profile was accurate at the date and time of publication.
Engine works to ensure that policymakers look for insight from the startup ecosystem when they are considering programs and legislation that affect entrepreneurs. Together, our voice is louder and more effective. Many of our lawmakers do not have first-hand experience with the country's thriving startup ecosystem, so it’s our job to amplify that perspective. To nominate a person, company, or organization to be featured in our #StartupsEverywhere series, email advocacy@engine.is.
