Reinventing Web Design: Grapes Studio Lets Small Businesses Build Sites in Minutes

For more than twenty years, small businesses have depended on WordPress to run their websites, often shouldering high hosting costs, managing multiple plugins, and navigating constant updates. Emerging from stealth today, Grapes Studio aims to disrupt this traditional approach with an AI-powered, HTML-first editor that allows users to copy and rebuild existing websites in mere minutes—no coding or plugin management required.

Grapes Studio is co-founded by Italian developer Artur Arseniev, the creator of the open-source GrapesJS framework, alongside Griffin Kelly, a serial entrepreneur and Y Combinator alumnus. The platform brings enterprise-level web design tools to a broader audience. Users can import their current websites directly into the editor and then use drag-and-drop functionality or AI assistance to make specific changes, such as adding a pricing section or aligning the design with brand colors.

Backed by Open Core Ventures, founded by GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij, Grapes Studio is built on an open-core philosophy similar to GitLab’s approach that enabled its global growth. “Grapes Studio restores total control over your website,” said Artur Arseniev, co-founder and CTO. “Unlike AI builders that lock users into proprietary systems, we produce clean HTML and CSS that can be hosted anywhere, indefinitely.”

“Our mission is straightforward—make modern, professional websites accessible and affordable for everyone,” added Griffin Kelly, co-founder and CEO. “Users can migrate from any platform in under two minutes, potentially saving up to 75% on monthly hosting and maintenance costs. Grapes Studio empowers small businesses to reduce expenses while retaining complete creative freedom.”

Building on years of open-source adoption, GrapesJS has already been downloaded millions of times and integrated into products for startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Grapes Studio now extends these capabilities to everyday creators through an AI-driven visual platform. Unlike other AI builders that rely solely on text prompts, it enables users to toggle seamlessly between AI-powered suggestions and hands-on drag-and-drop design, combining speed with precision.

With features like AI-assisted editing, one-click website imports, intuitive drag-and-drop design, and integrated email tools, Grapes Studio allows businesses—from cafés and salons to agencies and freelancers—to launch websites faster and more cost-effectively. Whether updating a small business site or managing client projects, Grapes Studio makes professional web creation simple, affordable, and fully under the user’s control.