Imagine stepping into a world where artificial intelligence isn’t just a powerful tool but a canvas for everyday creativity. That’s the vision behind Prom.dev, a fresh startup buzzing out of Seattle, ready to change how we think about AI prompts. Founded just last November by the dynamic Heather Jackson, a seasoned product leader with roots in big tech and entrepreneurship, Prom.dev emerged from stealth mode in February 2026 with a solid $1.5 million pre-seed funding round led by Pioneer Square Labs and Mayfield. Picture this: Jackson, who isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty, describes prompts—the precise instructions we feed into AI tools like ChatGPT—as “the new software.” She’s not just spinning buzzwords; she’s building a platform that makes these prompts shareable, remixable artifacts, turning them from solitary hacks into communal innovations. Born and raised in a quaint Kentucky town, Jackson’s journey is one of grit and ambition. After graduating from Vanderbilt, she climbed the ranks at Restaurant Brands International, honing her skills in operations and technology at giants like Burger King and Tim Hortons. An MBA from Harvard Business School equipped her with strategic prowess, and a move to Seattle landed her in Amazon Games, where she championed social gaming and forged connections. But it was her exit as founder and CEO of Astra Logical, a strategy-focused video game publisher, that truly ignited her spark. Astra shipped over a dozen titles, captivating more than 2 million players before its acquisition in October 2025. During those intense days at Astra, Jackson tinkered with AI workflows, hoarding prompts in Notion to boost her team’s productivity—a messy but brilliant precursor to Prom. Now, as a solo founder bunkering down in Seattle’s vibrant tech hubs like Foundations, she’s channeling that experience into something bigger. Prom.dev isn’t just a tool; it’s a declaration that AI can be fun, accessible, and deeply collaborative, inviting creators from all walks to experiment without the confines of walled gardens.
At its heart, Prom.dev reimagines AI prompts as lightweight, shareable apps that anyone can tweak and share. Think of it like taking a simple instruction you give to ChatGPT—say, generating a personalized workout plan—and transforming it into an interactive web form with slick inputs and outputs. Users can upload their prompts, jazz them up with design tweaks, and publish them for the world to see. One prompt might evolve into a dynamic stock tracker that updates real-time, or an immersive simulation where an AI avatar dissects your business pitch like a candid mentor. It’s reminiscent of GitHub’s code repositories blended with Pinterest’s visual inspiration, couched in an open-source philosophy where sharing means remixing for the greater good. Heather Jackson emphasizes this communal vibe: “Everyone’s building with AI, but there’s no centralized spot to exchange ideas—no app store, no GitHub equivalent. Prom fills that void.” For developers who’ve long wrestled with prompt engineering, it’s a game-changer, letting them refine and iterate faster. But Jackson’s design extends a hand to novices too, bridging the gap between tech wizards and casual explorers. A beginner who can’t craft the perfect prompt can browse Prom’s library, snag one that fits, and modify it effortlessly. It’s about democratizing AI, ensuring no one feels left behind in this evolving landscape. Jackson, drawing from her Amazon days, knows network effects are key—each shared prompt draws in more users, fostering a cycle of innovation. Consider the possibilities: a prompt for generating bedtime stories that adapts to your child’s age and interests, or one for drafting emails that mirror your tone, complete with visual flair. By making prompts “alive” and adaptable, Prom empowers builders to create software that’s fluid, not static. And unlike rigid code, these prompts can pivot in an instant, responding to real-world needs like a trusty sidekick in your pocket.
What sets Prom.dev apart in the crowded AI arena is its sharp focus on community over competition. While titans like OpenAI and Anthropic pour resources into scaling massive models and enterprise deals, Jackson argues they’re not positioned to nurture a vibrant builder ecosystem. “Who’s incentivized to build a community space? A voice for AI makers?” she questions, pointing out the void she’s stepping into. Prom isn’t here to challenge model builders; it’s the connective tissue, the glue that lets creators collaborate freely. Imagine strolling through an open marketplace where ideas flow like conversations at a lively coffee shop, free from corporate silos. Jackson’s perspective is shaped by her observations in the gaming world, where shared mods and fan art fueled exponential growth. At Astra Logical, she saw firsthand how internal tools, even simple ones, could rally a team around a vision. Prom.dev echoes that ethos, encouraging users to fork prompts—like branching a project in GitHub—and evolve them into something uniquely their own. For instance, a basic prompt for social media caption ideas could inspire a full-fledged app that integrates with your feed, learning from feedback to get smarter. This open approach isn’t just progressive; it’s pragmatic, tapping into the human desire to connect and co-create. By not locking users into proprietary systems, Prom fosters loyalty and organic growth, potentially sparking AI mini-movements that ripple across industries. Jackson’s bet is bold: in a world inundated with AI hype, authentic communities will thrive, and Prom is poised to be their hub.
Business-wise, Prom.dev is playing the long game, starting free to attract top-tier content before introducing monetization. Jackson scoffs at rushing into fees, mirroring GitHub’s evolution from open repository to premium tiers for private workspaces and high-volume users. “We’re building the foundation first,” she says, focusing on quality over quick profits. The platform’s free tier invites everyone in—developers to showcase polished prototypes, hobbyists to experiment playfully—creating a rich tapestry of prompts that draws in the curious. Future plans might include paywalls for advanced features, like AI-powered analytics on prompt performance or team collaboration tools akin to Slack for builders. Heather’s fundraising story is equally grounded; the $1.5 million from Pioneer Square Labs and Mayfield came after months of protoyping ideas and networking in Seattle’s AI circles. She pitched not just a product, but a movement, arguing that prompts represent the next wave of software—flexible, user-adaptable, and infinitely remixable. Investors bought in, recognizing the potential in a market hungry for tools that empower, not dictate. Jackson’s revenue outlook is optimistic yet realistic: as Prom garners attention, sponsored content or enterprise integrations could emerge, but community remains paramount. It’s a model that rewards creators while sustaining growth, much like how platforms like Medium turned writing into a monetizable art form. With Seattle’s tech ecosystem buzzing—think prolific AI research from UW and startups galore—Jackson sees Prom as a ripple effect, attracting global talent to local scenes. And for users, the appeal is clear: free access to tools that level the playing field, letting indie creators compete with industry behemoths through sheer creativity and iteration.
Heather Jackson’s personal narrative is a tapestry of small-town dreams and big-city hustles, woven into Prom.dev’s DNA. Growing up in Kentucky, she witnessed how tight-knit communities could achieve extraordinary things, fueling her lifelong passion for connection. Vanderbilt opened doors to global perspectives, while her fast-paced stint at multinational corporations like Restaurant Brands honed her operational acumen. Harvard’s MBA was a crucible, teaching her to navigate ambiguity and lead with empathy—skills she applied at Amazon, where social gaming taught her the magic of viral networks. Astra Logical was her masterpiece, a labor of love where she navigated the volatile game industry, collaborating with artists and engineers to deliver experiences that resonated with millions. There, AI first entered her orbit as a productivity booster, with prompts scribbled in Notion becoming de facto team assets. “Seeing my small team thrive with these shared tools—it clicked,” she recalls. That “aha” moment birthed Prom, a platform reflecting her belief in empowering the individual amid tech giants. As a solo founder, Jackson juggles it all with a dash of humor, often joking about her “prompt hoarding” days. Her inspiration extends beyond business; it’s deeply human, rooted in making technology approachable. Seattle’s tech scene, with its blend of innovation and coffee-fueled ideation, feels like home—a far cry from her Kentucky roots, yet oddly familiar in its collaborative spirit. Prom.dev is her way of giving back, ensuring that AI isn’t an elite domain but a playground for all, especially those starting small like she once did.
From the investor’s lens, Alex Ray of Pioneer Square Labs paints Prom.dev as pivotal infrastructure for AI’s evolution. “For 20 years, we’ve shipped static apps,” he explains, “but prompts are dynamic—almost alive, adapting instantly.” Ray, leading the charge with Mayfield since their 2024 partnership, sees Prom as enabling this shift, much like early cloud platforms democratized computing. He praises Jackson’s background, noting how Astra’s success and her Amazon pedigree signal a founder who understands scale and community. In PSL’s network, Prom fits snugly alongside AI pioneers, backed by Mayfield’s VC pedigree. Ray’s enthusiasm springs from witnessing AI’s transformative potential in healthcare, education, and creativity—prompts as the building blocks. For Seattle, Jackson’s mission resonates: “We’ve got to make AI fun,” she declares, activating local coders and dreamers. Investor funding isn’t just capital; it’s validation, injecting resources for rapid iteration and expansion. Ray foresees Prom sparking ecosystems, attracting talents from afar and propelling Seattle as AI’s frontier. In his view, it’s more than a startup—it’s a catalyst for software’s future, where fluidity meets fellowship, turning prompts into progress. Together, with Jackson’s vision and their support, Prom.dev aims to humanize AI, making it a tool for joy and invention in our everyday lives.
