buildDay vs
buildAcademy
Both programmes teach AI-powered app development for complete beginners. The difference is depth, duration, and what you build.
At a Glance
The Quick Start
The Deep Dive
| Feature | buildDay | buildAcademy |
|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | 6 hours (one Saturday) | 12 weeks (4 full days + 1hr/week + 5-10hrs homework/week) |
| What You Build | Pre-scoped app (follow-along, everyone builds same thing) | Your own product idea from scratch |
| What's Included | Workshop, lunch, materials, deployed app, 1 month buildClub | 4 workshops, weekly calls, Slack support, debugging framework, lifetime buildClub |
| Features Built | Auth, database, AI-generated UI, basic deployment | Everything in buildDay + Stripe payments, AI features, custom domain, advanced deployment |
| Support | In-person during workshop | In-person workshops + weekly calls + async Slack for 12 weeks |
| Group Size | Up to 20 people | 8-10 people (intimate cohort) |
| Learning Style | Follow-along, instructor-led, everyone succeeds | Self-directed with guidance, build your own thing |
| Who It's For | Complete beginners, curious explorers, idea validators | Committed builders, founders with ideas, working professionals |
| Outcome | Understanding of AI development + confidence to build | Production-ready app with real users + ability to build anything |
| Prerequisites | None - zero coding experience needed | None - zero coding experience needed (buildDay helpful but not required) |
| Price | $95 (early bird) / $140 | Enquire for pricing |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose buildDay if...
- You want to test if AI-powered development is right for you
- You're curious but not ready to commit 12 weeks
- You want to learn the fundamentals in one focused day
- You don't have a specific product idea yet
- You prefer structured, follow-along learning
- You want to validate your interest before a bigger investment
- You have limited time (busy professionals, parents, etc.)
- You want to join a community and see what's possible
Choose buildAcademy if...
- You have a product idea you want to build
- You're ready to commit 12 weeks to building something real
- You want to launch a production-ready app with real users
- You need payment integration and AI features
- You want ongoing support and mentorship
- You're a founder who needs to build your MVP
- You can dedicate 5-10 hours per week to learning
- You want lifetime community access and support
Start with buildDay, Graduate to buildAcademy
Most successful buildAcademy participants start with buildDay. Here's why this path works:
Common Questions
Can I do buildDay and then buildAcademy?
Yes! This is the recommended path for most people. buildDay gives you the foundations and confidence in a low-risk environment. Many buildAcademy participants start with buildDay to validate their interest before committing to the 12-week programme. buildDay attendees receive priority enrolment and a discount for buildAcademy.
Which programme is better for complete beginners?
Both programmes are designed for complete beginners with zero coding experience. buildDay is lower risk and commitment - perfect for testing if AI-powered development is right for you. buildAcademy assumes no technical background but requires more time commitment and self-directed learning between sessions. If you're unsure, start with buildDay.
Do I need buildDay before joining buildAcademy?
No. buildDay is not a prerequisite for buildAcademy. Both programmes teach from zero coding experience. However, buildDay provides a strong foundation that makes buildAcademy easier. If you're uncertain about committing 12 weeks, start with buildDay to test the waters.
Which programme will help me build my startup idea?
buildAcademy is the right choice. You'll build your own product idea from scratch over 12 weeks, including payment integration, AI features, and production deployment. buildDay teaches you the fundamentals with a pre-scoped app, so everyone succeeds in one day. If you want to validate an idea quickly, start with buildDay, then join buildAcademy to build it properly.
How much time will I need to commit?
buildDay is 6 hours on a Saturday (9am-3pm) with no homework or follow-up commitment. buildAcademy requires 4 weekend workshop days (spread across 12 weeks), 1 hour per week for group calls, and 5-10 hours per week for independent work on your app. buildAcademy is designed for working professionals and fits around a full-time job.
Which programme offers better value for money?
buildDay is just $95 AUD (early bird) for learning the fundamentals in one day - incredible value. buildAcademy is a more significant investment (enquire for pricing) but you get 12 weeks of hands-on learning, mentorship, and ongoing support while building a production-ready product. The value depends on your goals - if you want to learn basics, buildDay wins. If you want to build a real product, buildAcademy is worth the investment.
Still Not Sure?
Start with buildDay. It's 6 hours and just $95 to find out if this is for you. Low risk, high reward.