As tools that turn plain-language prompts into working software gain traction, people without technical backgrounds are increasingly able to build custom applications through what is often referred to as vibe coding. Platforms such as Lovable allow users to generate functional code from simple descriptions, making prototyping faster and more accessible.
However, moving these applications from prototype to production can be challenging. Applications often need to connect with external services to send SMS messages, deliver emails, or process payments through providers such as Stripe, and managing those integrations typically requires handling authentication, billing, and infrastructure that nontechnical creators may struggle to set up.
Ilan Zerbib, who previously spent five years as director of engineering for payments at Shopify, is working to address this gap. Last summer, he launched Sapiom, a startup focused on building a financial layer that enables AI agents to securely purchase and access software, APIs, data, and computing resources.
Each time an AI agent connects to an external service such as Twilio to send a text message, it must authenticate and trigger a micro-payment. Sapiom aims to abstract that complexity by enabling AI agents to determine which services they need and transact automatically, without requiring manual intervention from developers or end users.
“In the future, apps are going to consume services which require payments. Right now, there’s no easy way for agents to actually access all of that,” said Amit Kumar, a partner at Accel.
Accel is leading Sapiom’s $15 million seed round, with participation from Okta Ventures, Gradient Ventures, Array Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Anthropic, and Coinbase Ventures. Kumar said he has evaluated dozens of startups working on AI-related payments infrastructure but believes Sapiom’s emphasis on enterprise use cases, rather than consumer-facing transactions, addresses a more immediate need.
“If you really think about it, every API call is a payment. Every time you send a text message, it’s a payment. Every time you spin up a server for AWS, it’s a payment,” Kumar told TechCrunch.
Sapiom’s infrastructure is designed to integrate with vibe-coding platforms and companies developing AI agents capable of carrying out tasks independently. For example, developers building an app with SMS functionality would not need to separately register with Twilio, add payment details, or manage API keys. Instead, Sapiom handles these processes in the background, while the cost of services such as Twilio is passed through to the user via platforms like Lovable or Bolt.
Although the company is currently focused on business-to-business deployments, its technology could eventually support personal AI agents that carry out consumer transactions. Such agents could one day be trusted to complete tasks like booking rides or making online purchases. Zerbib, however, has said that AI alone will not necessarily drive higher consumer spending, reinforcing his decision to prioritise enterprise financial infrastructure in the near term.
While Sapiom remains at an early stage, the company is positioning itself as foundational infrastructure for an emerging ecosystem in which AI agents operate autonomously and require seamless, secure access to paid digital services.
