Building Zedek.ai: A Technical Odyssey to Redefine SaaS Discovery

The Genesis: A Problem Worth Solving

As a developer, few things frustrate me more than wasted potential. When my brother Emmanuel and I first envisioned Zedek.ai, we saw a glaring gap in the SaaS ecosystem: tools existed to solve problems, but no platform existed to intelligently connect businesses with the right solutions. Static lists, generic filters, and outdated reviews dominated the landscape. We knew there had to be a better way—one rooted in technology, not tradition. This is the story of how we rebuilt SaaS discovery from the ground up.

1. Crafting an AI That Thinks Like a Strategist

The Challenge

Traditional platforms force users to rely on manual filters and generic keywords. But how do you surface the right tool when every business has unique needs?

The Build

We designed an AI model that goes beyond surface-level queries. By layering natural language processing with contextual understanding, the system interprets intent. For example, a query like “collaboration tools for hybrid teams” isn’t just parsed for keywords—it analyzes industry nuances, team size, and integration requirements.

The Breakthrough

After months of refining training datasets and tweaking neural layers, the AI began delivering recommendations that felt eerily intuitive. Buyers stopped searching and started trusting.

2. Real-Time Chat: Engineering Human Connections

The Challenge

Buyers and vendors wasted days playing email tag. We wanted conversations, not chaos.

The Build

To streamline communication, we integrated Slack’s API directly into Zedek.ai. This wasn’t just about enabling chat—it was about creating a frictionless bridge between buyers and vendors. Slack’s robust ecosystem allowed us to embed secure, real-time messaging within our platform while maintaining end-to-end encryption.

But we didn’t stop there. We built a custom chatbot to act as a mediator. Before connecting users to vendors, the bot pre-qualifies inquiries (e.g., “What’s your budget?” or “Is GDPR compliance critical?”), ensuring both parties enter conversations with clarity.

The Hurdle

Balancing Slack’s flexibility with our need for minimal latency required custom WebSocket configurations. The result? Conversations flow seamlessly, even during peak traffic.

3. Interactive Demos: Where Code Meets Experience

The Challenge

Static screenshots don’t capture a tool’s soul. Buyers needed to interact, not just observe.

The Build

We partnered with Guideflow to revolutionize how users experience SaaS tools. Instead of passive demos, we engineered guided, step-by-step walkthroughs. Guideflow’s framework let us embed interactive tutorials directly into live environments, so buyers could explore features in context.

For example, a user testing a CRM tool isn’t just clicking buttons—they’re guided through workflows like “Set up a lead pipeline” or “Automate follow-ups,” with real-time tooltips and feedback.

The Win

A startup founder once avoided a costly mismatch by discovering missing API endpoints during a Zedek.ai demo. Guideflow’s guided experience made the gap obvious—and saved them months of frustration.

To Builders and Dreamers

If you’re tackling a technical moonshot:

1. Solve the Problem, Not the Symptom. Dig deeper than surface-level pain points.

2. Embrace the Grind. Breakthroughs happen after the 10th rewrite.

3. Trust the Process. Code rewards patience.

Experience Zedek.ai
For those tired of outdated discovery: See what happens when technology prioritizes people.