Bain & Company builds AI-generated software prototypes using a technique called “vibe coding,” enabling staff to recreate product functionality through natural language prompts.
This method allows Bain to conduct professional due diligence by testing the core functionality of potential acquisition targets. Staff have vibecoded hundreds of prototypes to assess the strength of a company's value proposition. If consultants can recreate a SaaS platform's features rapidly, it indicates a weaker competitive advantage than claimed.
Conversely, if certain features are challenging to replicate, they may justify a premium in acquisition costs.
While Bain has not disclosed specific targets, their vibe coding practices are migrating from niche markets into broader SaaS platforms by early 2026. Additionally, the principles of rapid prototyping may prove valuable in evaluating AI-driven digital assets, impacting assumptions about their advantages in the crypto space.