Karim Jouini, an emblematic figure of African entrepreneurship, launches a new unprecedented venture in artificial intelligence. His recent startup, Thunder Code, stands out with an *innovative automated testing software*, capable of accelerating development processes. Recently, the company has already raised 9 million dollars, demonstrating investors’ enthusiasm for this promising concept. The fusion of his experience and bold vision positions Thunder Code as a key player in a rapidly changing market.
A new entrepreneurial adventure
The co-founders of the famous startup Expensya, Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, are re-entering the entrepreneurial scene with their latest initiative: Thunder Code. Their previous venture, focused on expense management, ended with a successful acquisition by the Swedish giant Medius in 2023, valued at over 120 million dollars.
Jouini, now CTO at Medius, felt a pressing need to return to entrepreneurship after observing the integration of several companies on a global scale. This experience revealed to him the potential of generative artificial intelligence in transforming the software industry.
The innovative concept of Thunder Code
Thunder Code positions itself as an AI-powered software testing platform, utilizing “agents” capable of simulating quality processes and identifying subtle interface and user experience issues. These mechanisms allow for considerable time savings, surpassing traditional manual testing methods.
The co-founders have already secured 9 million dollars in funding, proving that the market is receptive to their vision. Their goal, to develop innovative and high-performance software, comes with a promise of speed and efficiency in bringing their product to market.
A pragmatic approach
Karim Jouini emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes experienced at Expensya. Speed of development was an essential priority, with a minimum viable product (MVP) launched in six weeks. This experience led Jouini to insist on the necessity of obtaining rapid feedback rather than aiming for perfection from the outset.
The initial market feedback has been favorable, with a base of paying customers already established and pilot programs underway in the United States, Canada, France, and Tunisia. The team is targeting delivery managers and development teams eager to accelerate their testing and deployment cycles.
Growth prospects
The software testing market is valued at over 100 billion dollars by 2027, a field marked by the dominance of traditional platforms such as Tricentis and BrowserStack. Jouini believes that Thunder Code, thanks to its AI-driven approach, enjoys a competitive advantage against these well-established companies.
By leveraging Jihed Othmani’s expertise in artificial intelligence, their startup aims to capture a significant market share. The diversity of skills within the team proves to be a major asset, especially in the face of increasing competition from other innovative startups in the sector.
Committed investors
The funding round brings together familiar faces from Expensya, such as Silicon Badia and Jaango Capital, alongside new strategic investors. Market players, such as the Titan Seed Fund, are also eyeing this promising venture. Former Expensya employees, reinvesting in the startup, testify to the trust placed in Jouini and Othmani.
This substantial financial support also reflects a shared conviction in Thunder Code’s ability to revolutionize the software testing sector through artificial intelligence and a determined vision of growth and continuous innovation.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the founders of the new AI startup?
The founders of this new AI startup, Thunder Code, are Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, who previously co-founded Expensya.
What is Thunder Code’s main mission?
Thunder Code aims to revolutionize software testing by using AI to automate quality processes, making these tests faster and more efficient.
How much was raised in the first funding round?
Thunder Code secured 9 million dollars in its first funding round.
What types of problems does Thunder Code solve in the field of software testing?
Thunder Code tackles slow and inefficient manual testing through AI-powered agents that simulate human testers, thereby improving the error detection process.
What markets is Thunder Code currently targeting?
Thunder Code is currently focused on web application testing, with expansion plans to include mobile, desktop, and API testing by the end of 2025.
What lessons have been learned from past experiences with Expensya?
The founders learned the importance of speed in product development and have prioritized launching their minimum viable product (MVP) quickly.
How does Thunder Code compare to traditional testing solutions?
Thunder Code surpasses traditional solutions by offering rapid and efficient execution, leveraging AI to overcome the limitations of legacy code-based platforms.
What are the future expansion plans for Thunder Code?
Beyond web applications, Thunder Code plans to extend its services to mobile app testing, desktop platforms, and APIs by the end of 2025.
Are there notable investors involved in Thunder Code?
Yes, several investors from the Expensya capital table, as well as personalities such as Roxanne Varza and Karim Beguir, are part of Thunder Code’s funding round.