Mark Austen
I take ideas from concept to production. I've been doing it for 18 years, first with physical products and now with software and AI. The tools changed, the mindset didn't.
AI Makers is my custom AI software studio (AI Makers LLC). I build custom AI apps, AI employees and AI training for companies worldwide.
Founder, AI Makers
From 3D printers to AI agents.
I started my career making physical things. In 2014, I opened Print3D Matter, Amsterdam's largest 3D printing shop.
A year later, I founded Local Makers, an industrial product design studio with a team of 10. My team and I took ideas from napkin sketches to manufactured products: concept development, prototyping, tooling, and production.
When COVID hit in 2020, I designed a reusable FFP2 silicone face mask from scratch. I ran a Kickstarter campaign, got it funded and licensed the design to manufacturers in multiple countries. It went from idea to mass production in weeks.
Around the same time, I built EU Made, an online marketplace connecting businesses with European factories. That's where physical products met digital platforms, and where I realised the same 'idea to production' process works even better in software.
In 2024 I founded AI Makers. Everything I learned about building physical products (understanding the problem, designing the solution, prototyping, iterating and shipping) I now apply to software and AI. Same process, different medium: custom software, AI agents, training and security testing.
You think it. I make it. That's been the constant for 18 years.
The journey.
From physical products to digital ones.
Print3D Matter
Opened Amsterdam's largest 3D printing shop and product design space. 10 years of making ideas real: 3D printing, design on demand and custom manufacturing.
Local Makers
Founded an industrial product design studio. Led a team of 10 people through concept development, prototyping, and full production. Designed and manufactured products across multiple industries.
PPE Manufacturing
When COVID hit, I designed a reusable FFP2 silicone face mask and ran a funded Kickstarter campaign. I licensed the design to manufacturers in multiple countries. From idea to mass production in weeks.
EU Made
Built an online marketplace connecting businesses with European factories. Solving the problem of finding local manufacturing capacity at scale.
AI Makers
Founded AI Makers, a boutique AI software development company. I now apply what I learned about taking ideas from concept to production to custom software, AI agents, chatbots, AI consulting and automation, worldwide.
What I do now.
AI Makers: custom software, AI and training, delivered worldwide.
Custom AI
Full-stack development with AI integration. Web apps, mobile, desktop, SaaS platforms. From your idea to a live product.
AI Agents
Autonomous agents that perform real work. Google ADK, Claude Code, Cursor Background Agents, OpenAI Agents SDK.
AI Training
Hands-on programs for engineering teams and business leaders. Cursor, Claude, Gemini, OpenAI. Remote or on-site worldwide.
AI Pen Testing
AI-powered security testing that finds vulnerabilities 80x faster than manual audits. Continuous, autonomous, thorough.
Let's work together
Got an idea?
Let's make it real.
Whether it's custom software, AI automation or a quick question, send it to me. I reply myself, with a straight answer on what's possible.
Send me a message
I reply within 24 hours.
Common Questions
Still have questions? WhatsApp me anytime.
How is a project priced?
Fixed price for the agreed scope, quoted after a short scoping chat with me. The written quote spells out what's in and what's out, and you own the code.
How long does a project take?
Simple AI automation services: 1-2 weeks. Chatbot development: 2-4 weeks. Full custom software development: 1-3 months.
Do you work with small businesses?
Yes, I work with startups, small businesses and larger firms. Send me the problem, whether it needs AI consulting, a chatbot or a custom AI app. I will tell you straight whether AI can solve it.
Not ready to chat yet?
Check out my work to see what I've built, or explore my services to find the right fit.