African Tech Founders Reenter Startup Scene with AI-Powered Software Testing Platform, Raise $9M in Seed Funding

In 2023, Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, the co-founders of Expensya, a leading expense management startup, achieved significant success by selling their company to Medius, a Swedish procurement software firm. Reports suggest the deal was valued at just over $120 million, marking one of the largest acquisitions of an African startup. Despite their initial vow to retire from entrepreneurship, the allure of generative AI and its potential to revolutionize the tech industry drew them back into the game. New Venture: Thunder Code Jouini and Othmani have co-founded Thunder Code, a generative AI-powered software testing platform. Within a mere six months of its inception, Thunder Code has already secured $9 million in seed funding, a testament to its strong promise and the founders' track record. The company aims to streamline slow, manual software testing processes using AI-powered "agents" that simulate human testers. These agents can perform quality assurance (QA) tasks, detect user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) issues, and continuously learn from feedback, making the testing process more efficient and effective. Lessons Learned from Expensya Building on the successes and setbacks of Expensya, Jouini has prioritized rapid development and iteration. They launched their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within six weeks, a stark contrast to Expensya's longer development timeline. Jouini emphasizes the importance of receiving quick feedback and iterating rapidly, a strategy he believes is crucial for navigating the competitive landscape of the tech industry. Additionally, the founders are committed to focusing on core features and attracting top talent early on. Unlike many African entrepreneurs who are reluctant to dilute their ownership, Jouini is pragmatic about the benefits of early investment. "If we create a unicorn while diluting ourselves, that’s good value," he states. Jouini believes that leveraging AI will enable Thunder Code to generate 10 times the value with fewer employees, aligning with the industry trend toward leaner, AI-driven teams. Market and Competition Thunder Code is entering a vast and growing market. The software testing industry is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2027, dominated by legacy platforms such as Tricentis and BrowserStack. Jouini sees an opportunity to disrupt this market by addressing inefficiencies with advanced AI solutions. Despite the market's current saturation, he believes Thunder Code's fast execution and innovative approach give it a competitive edge. The company has already gained traction, securing paying customers and pilot programs in the U.S., Canada, France, and Tunisia. Partnerships with delivery managers, QA shops, and developer teams highlight the demand for faster and more efficient testing solutions. Thunder Code currently focuses on web application testing but plans to expand into mobile, desktop, and API testing by the end of 2025. Co-founder Expertise and Funding Othmani brings deep expertise in generative AI, having developed internal AI tools at Expensya years before the rise of ChatGPT. This background, combined with Jouini's extensive experience in software development and entrepreneurship, positions Thunder Code to quickly develop and deploy cutting-edge solutions. The $9 million seed funding round attracted a mix of investors, including some from Expensya’s previous cap table, such as Silicon Badia and Janngo Capital. Other notable participants include the Titan Seed Fund and strategic angels like Roxanne Varza, Director of Station F, and Karim Beguir, CEO of Instadeep, Africa’s largest AI startup. Contributions from former and current Expensya employees, who benefited from the acquisition, further strengthen Thunder Code's financial foundation and industry ties. Industry Reactions Industry insiders are closely watching Thunder Code's progress, recognizing the potential of AI in transforming software testing. The company's ability to secure substantial funding in a short time and attract high-profile investors suggests strong market confidence. Jouini and Othmani's return to the startup scene with a focus on AI is seen as a strategic move, especially given the projected growth of the software testing industry. Their past success with Expensya and current ambition with Thunder Code underscore their leadership and innovation capabilities. While the road ahead is challenging, with numerous competitors and the complexities of scaling AI solutions, the founders' vision and execution so far have positioned Thunder Code as a promising player in the tech ecosystem. The combination of their expertise, strategic funding, and rapid product development makes them a force to be reckoned with in the AI-driven software testing market.