Major model providers like OpenAI and Anthropic have evolved from infrastructure companies into full‑stack product companies. Think about that power dynamic for a moment. These providers have a direct line of sight to which prompts drive the most usage and which features gain traction + they have a panoramic view of the entire AI ecosystem. When they spot something working well they can just build it themselves. How do you build an enduring app‑layer AI startup when the very platform you rely on might become your competitor? @JayaGup10 and I found the most resilient teams focus on 5 strategies 👇

1/ master high-exception workflows. These are riddled with complexity that generic models can’t handle.

2/ create proprietary feedback loops in ambiguous domains where "correct" answers aren't clear-cut.

3/ own the execution layer - especially the parts of the tech stack that big providers won't bother with.

4/ hire domain experts and embed with customers to understand nuances the model providers never will.

5/ move fast and stay in the details. Your speed and depth of understanding create compounding advantages.