Summary:
- In 2023, co-founders Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani sold their expense management startup Expensya for over $120 million.
- After swearing off entrepreneurship, they returned to launch Thunder Code, a generative AI-powered software testing platform that has secured $9 million in funding.
- Thunder Code aims to revolutionize software testing with AI-powered agents, emphasizing speed and attracting investors and customers globally.
Article:
In a significant move in 2023, Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, co-founders of the expense management startup Expensya, made headlines by selling their company to Swedish procurement software firm Medius for a staggering sum exceeding $120 million. The acquisition marked one of the largest in the African startup scene, propelling both entrepreneurs into the spotlight of success.
Despite initially vowing to steer clear of entrepreneurship post-Expensya, Jouini and Othmani found themselves drawn back into the realm of innovation by the allure of generative AI technology. This newfound interest led them to co-found Thunder Code, a cutting-edge software testing platform powered by AI, which quickly secured $9 million in seed funding.
Thunder Code’s innovative approach to software testing involves AI-driven "agents" that mimic human testers, streamlining the QA process, detecting subtle UI and UX issues, and continuously learning from feedback. By prioritizing speed and agile development, Jouini and Othmani aim to outperform their previous venture, ensuring rapid growth and market penetration.
With a focus on web application testing initially, Thunder Code has already gained traction with paying customers and pilot programs in various countries, including the U.S., Canada, France, and Tunisia. The company’s expansion plans include venturing into mobile, desktop, and API testing by late 2025, positioning itself as a formidable player in the competitive software testing market.
Drawing from their past experiences, Jouini emphasizes the importance of investing in top talent and embracing early dilution to drive long-term success. Believing that Thunder Code’s AI capabilities can maximize efficiency and value creation, the co-founder remains optimistic about the company’s potential to disrupt the software industry.
As Thunder Code competes in a crowded market alongside established players like Tricentis and BrowserStack, Jouini remains confident in the company’s ability to innovate and adapt swiftly. With Othmani’s expertise in generative AI and strong investor backing from industry veterans, Thunder Code is poised to make a significant impact and carve out a niche in the evolving landscape of software testing.
Overall, Thunder Code’s journey from a promising startup to a potential industry disruptor showcases the resilience and vision of its founders, underscoring their commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and driving innovation in the software development space.
