Article URL: https://www.bottlenecklabs.com/blog/autonomously-run-businesses Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49113059 Points: 101 # Comments: 67

If an agent had a wallet, a computer, and 24 hours, could it run a profitable startup? For an agent to perform real work, it needs to be continuously run for days or weeks as well as having access to business assets and working capital. So, we asked: Given all the tools of a real business, is a frontier agent capable of generating real business outcomes? We put this question to the test. At a glance, the results were not encouraging: Powered by GPT 5.6 Sol [1], we created an agent named Saul. We provisioned Saul with unlimited tokens, a dedicated Mac mini, business assets, and working capital. Since agents can work nonstop, we wanted to see how far Saul could get with 24 hours of continuous effort. Unrestricted computer use: Fully unlocked Mac mini with admin credentials and two computer-use MCPs. [2] Live functioning business: GutCheck, a simple iOS app live on the App Store.[3]. Bank with real money: Meow.com checking account with $250 and a $100 AgentCard.sh virtual Visa card. Saul’s engineering capabilities and creative thinking impressed us. That said, we were not impressed enough to let it run longer than 24 hours.