Bereket Engida, a self-taught programmer from Ethiopia, is breaking barriers as a solo founder by creating a revolutionary developer infrastructure tool known as Better Auth. This open-source framework simplifies user authentication management for developers and has garnered praise from industry experts.
Better Auth recently secured $5 million in seed funding from reputable investors like Peak XV, Y Combinator, P1 Ventures, and Chapter One. What sets Engida apart is that he developed the entire product in Ethiopia before venturing to the U.S., showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft.
Engida’s journey into programming began at 18 when he took on the challenge of building an e-commerce search app independently. Through various remote software jobs, he identified a common pain point in authentication systems across different platforms. Existing tools like Auth0 and Firebase fell short in customization and scalability, prompting Engida to create a more flexible solution.
His TypeScript-based authentication framework offers developers access to user data through open-source libraries, supports complex permission structures, and allows for easy scalability with plug-ins. The simplicity and efficiency of Better Auth have won over developers worldwide, leading to over 150,000 weekly downloads and a thriving community on GitHub and Discord.
One of the key advantages of Better Auth is that it allows developers to manage user data directly on their databases, eliminating the need to rely on external services. This self-hosted approach appeals to companies seeking greater control over their user information, especially in sensitive industries like AI startups.
Peak XV, recognizing the potential of Better Auth, made its first direct investment in an African founder with Engida’s startup. As Better Auth evolves, Engida plans to enhance core features and introduce a paid enterprise infrastructure that complements the existing open-source platform. This hybrid model offers developers the flexibility to choose between self-hosting or utilizing Better Auth’s cloud services.
Despite his growing success, Engida remains committed to preserving the community-driven ethos of Better Auth. He aims to expand his team to support enterprise users while maintaining the product’s grassroots appeal. Better Auth’s recent graduation from Y Combinator’s spring batch solidifies its position as a trailblazing Ethiopian startup, inspiring others to pursue ambitious global ventures.
Engida’s groundbreaking work with Better Auth not only showcases his technical prowess but also represents a beacon of hope for aspiring African entrepreneurs. By defying conventions and building a widely acclaimed product, he paves the way for future innovators to dream big and challenge the status quo.
