AppOnboard acquires Buildbox

The Maker Generation

Back when started Buildbox in 2014, we had a very simple vision:  To empower anyone to create video games. Our goal then, as it is today, was to help push forward the maker generation.  To help people create works of art that were previously impossible without being a programmer. We see #nocode as the future of development, and passionately have worked on this vision for the past 5 years.

Rarely, if ever, have I come across another company who has followed a similar vision, much less the exact same vision we’ve had from the start.  This changed in early 2019 when I first met Jon Zweig, CEO of AppOnboard.

Meeting AppOnboard

Jon and I started talking and were both completely shocked to find we were not only on the same page, but fully charged forward on the exact same mission.  AppOnboard has focused on creating app creation software that was completely different, yet instantly complimentary, to Buildbox.

They’ve built an incredible company with over 100 employees across the globe, raised $30 million in funding, and we have discussed in detail the amazing ways they can help support and grow Buildbox well past what we’ve accomplished as a small bootstrapped startup.

The Future of #NoCode

I’m extremely excited to announce the next chapter for Buildbox, and explain how we’re going to vastly expand our product, ability, and community going forward, but before I do that I believe it’s most important to discuss what is not changing.

With this acquisition, every single employee is staying with Buildbox, including myself and Nik.  Buildbox will run independently — as it always has — while being able to grow much more quickly, and tap into the great resources that AppOnboard provides.  Nik and I will still be focused 100% on vision and additions to complete line of our products. We will not be making any changes in product, besides improvements and additions we already have planned.

What we will have access too, that we did not before, is resources to help us hire more developers, content creators and more for Buildbox.  You’ll see our development times vastly improve, and content creation for Buildbox speed up drastically.

AppOnboard is amazingly dedicated to not changing our vision, but helping us see it through to its largest potential.

What Comes Next?

The first most noticeable change you’ll see is a free version of Buildbox.  This will be coming soon, and it’s the first time we’ve been able to viably do this as a company.  Our goal is to have people learn on this free version and vastly expand the community.

With AppOnboard’s help, you will find much better Android, ad network, and export support. You’ll also see many nodes and smart assets being created for Buildbox, a new asset store, and more, coming this year.

This is just the beginning.  We’re also roadmapping expansions with the Master Collection software, putting a core focus on making Buildbox 3.0 easier to use, and much more.

Thanks so much for the community who has helped turn Buildbox into the leading #nocode game development platform.  We’re excited for the future, and can promise you this is only the beginning.

Sincerely,

Trey Smith
Buildbox