In 2023, entrepreneurs Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani achieved a significant milestone by selling their expense management startup, Expensya, to Swedish procurement software firm Medius. This acquisition, reportedly valued at over $120 million, stands as one of the largest involving an African startup. Following this success, both founders initially decided to step away from entrepreneurship, with Jouini assuming the role of Chief Technology Officer at Medius.
However, the rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) reignited their entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing the transformative potential of AI in the software industry, Jouini and Othmani co-founded Thunder Code, a platform leveraging generative AI to revolutionize software testing processes. The startup has already secured $9 million in seed funding, underscoring investor confidence in their vision.
Thunder Code addresses the inefficiencies of traditional software testing by deploying AI-powered agents that emulate human testers. These agents perform quality assurance tasks, identify subtle user interface and user experience issues, and continuously improve through feedback. This approach aims to expedite the testing phase, enabling faster and more reliable software releases.
Jouini’s tenure as CTO at Medius provided him with insights into the challenges of integrating multiple companies across different continents. This experience highlighted the universal need for efficient testing solutions, inspiring the creation of Thunder Code. The startup’s rapid development is notable; within six months, it has progressed significantly, surpassing the early growth stages of Expensya.
Currently, Thunder Code is gaining traction with paying customers and pilot programs in the United States, Canada, France, and Tunisia. The platform collaborates with delivery managers, quality assurance teams, and developers seeking to enhance their testing processes. While the initial focus is on web application testing, plans are underway to expand into mobile, desktop, and API testing by late 2025.
The success of Thunder Code reflects a broader trend of African entrepreneurs making significant strides in the AI sector. For instance, Ghana-based AI startup Aya Data recently raised $900,000 in seed funding to scale its AI products, AyaGrow and AyaSpeech. Similarly, Tunisian AI company InstaDeep, founded in 2014, has gained recognition for its AI-driven solutions and was acquired by BioNTech in 2023.
Despite these successes, African AI startups often face challenges in securing funding. In 2020, AI startups accounted for only 2.5% of the over $700 million raised by African startups, indicating a need for increased investment in this burgeoning sector.
Thunder Code’s emergence signifies a promising development in the African tech landscape, showcasing the potential of AI-driven solutions to address global software testing challenges. As the startup continues to evolve, it exemplifies the innovative spirit of African entrepreneurs in the AI domain.
