Better Auth, by a self-taught Ethiopian dev, raises $5M from Peak XV, YC
10 months ago
- #open-source
- #authentication
- #startup
- Bereket Engida, a self-taught programmer from Ethiopia, is building Better Auth, an open-source authentication tool.
- Better Auth simplifies user authentication for developers and has raised $5M in seed funding from investors like Peak XV and Y Combinator.
- Engida built the product entirely in Ethiopia before coming to the U.S.
- He started programming at 18 and previously built a web analytics platform.
- Existing authentication tools were either too limited or rigid, prompting Engida to create Better Auth.
- Better Auth allows developers to manage user data on-premise, offering flexibility and customization.
- The tool has gained traction with 150,000+ weekly downloads and 15,000+ GitHub stars.
- Early-stage AI startups are adopting Better Auth for its custom authentication flows and scalability.
- Better Auth is currently free but plans to launch a paid enterprise infrastructure.
- Engida aims to scale while maintaining the product's community-built feel.
- Better Auth is the third Ethiopian startup to graduate from Y Combinator.