In a remarkable transformation, Anton Lenev, a developer on the VK Mini Apps platform, has turned a playful pet project into a successful AI photo editing application called "Otredach." His innovation not only gained popularity but also secured victory in the VK Dev Grants 2025 competition.
The journey began in 2023 when Lenev stumbled upon a podcast discussing the rising fascination with Tarot and esotericism. Intrigued by the idea that many Tarot predictions are universally applicable, he decided to experiment with a neural network to generate similar predictions. His initial prototype involved a simple interface where users could ask questions and receive machine-generated responses, mimicking the experience of Tarot readings. To enhance the experience, he incorporated a Bluetooth thermal printer, allowing users to print their predictions instantly.
The project gained traction during a frontend breakfast event in St. Petersburg, where attendees asked humorous questions and shared the results on social media, resulting in viral videos. This unexpected interest led to requests for corporate events, where Lenev presented the application in an entertaining format, acting as a modern-day Tarot reader.
After participating in the VK Fresh Code 2023 contest as a finalist, Lenev recognized that his playful idea resonated with people. He emphasized the entertainment aspect of his service, ensuring that users understood it was meant for fun rather than serious predictions.
In 2024, with advancements in image processing models, Lenev reimagined his project to predict outcomes based on photographs of coffee grounds. This iteration encouraged users to engage with the app in creative ways, further expanding its appeal beyond traditional Tarot readings. The updated prototype was well received, leading to another success at the VK Fresh Code 2024 contest.
By 2025, Lenev sought to elevate the application into a fully-fledged product with monetization strategies beyond advertising. He envisioned a user-friendly interface where individuals could upload photos and receive stylistic edits, such as medieval or holiday-themed images. This new direction was submitted to the VK Dev Grants 2025 program, highlighting his commitment to transforming his initial joke into a viable commercial product.
The success of Lenev's journey signifies a growing trend in the tech market where playful ideas can evolve into profitable innovations, challenging competitors to think outside the box and explore unconventional applications of AI technology.
Informational material. 18+.
