How a self-taught coder built a multimillion-dollar AI startup in weeks

Vitalii Dodonov went from chemical engineering student to tech entrepreneur. His latest company, Stan, now earns tens of millions each year. The journey began with self-taught coding and a leap into software engineering without a formal degree. Dodonov first worked at Deloitte after studying chemical engineering at the University of Alberta. While still in school, he taught himself to code and built side projects, including an early tool called Vhinny.

eBay later hired him as a senior software engineer, despite his lack of formal qualifications. There, he met John, who would become his co-founder. Together, they decided to launch Stan. Within six weeks of its debut, Stan’s AI product, Stanley, was generating $50,000 in monthly revenue. The tool, designed to help creators produce high-performing LinkedIn content, took just 14 days to build. Today, Stan’s rapid growth has pushed its annual revenue into the tens of millions.

Stan’s success shows how quickly a focused product can scale. Dodonov’s path—from self-taught coder to founder—highlights the impact of hands-on experience over traditional qualifications. The company’s AI tool continues to attract creators looking to improve their online presence.