# African Founders Launch AI Startup with $9M Funding
Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, the African entrepreneurs behind the successful expense management platform Expensya, have returned to the startup world with a new AI-powered venture. Their latest company, Thunder Code, has secured $9 million in seed funding to revolutionize software testing with generative AI.
## From Expense Management to AI Innovation
After selling Expensya in 2023 in one of Africa’s largest startup acquisitions, the founders initially stepped away from entrepreneurship. Jouini took on a CTO role at Medius, the acquiring company, while Othmani explored AI applications. However, the rapid advancements in generative AI reignited their passion for building transformative technology.
## How Thunder Code Works
Thunder Code uses AI-powered “agents” to automate software testing, mimicking human testers to detect UI/UX issues and improve efficiency. The platform aims to eliminate slow, manual testing processes, allowing developers to ship products faster with fewer errors.
### Key Features:
– AI-driven testing for web applications (with mobile and API support planned for 2025)
– Learning capabilities that improve with feedback
– Faster deployment cycles compared to traditional methods
## Funding and Expansion
The $9 million seed round includes investments from Silicon Badia, Jaango Capital, Titan Seed Fund, and notable angel investors like Roxanne Varza (Director of Station F) and Karim Beguir (CEO of Instadeaf). Some former Expensya employees also participated, reinforcing confidence in the founders’ vision.
## Why This Matters
Jouini believes AI will enable Thunder Code to deliver 10x the value with fewer resources, a trend seen across AI-driven startups. The global software testing market, projected to exceed $100 billion by 2027, remains dominated by legacy players—leaving room for AI-first disruptors like Thunder Code.
With a Paris headquarters and Tunis office, the startup is already serving clients in the U.S., Canada, France, and Tunisia. As AI reshapes software development, Jouini and Othmani are betting that their experience and speed will give them an edge in this competitive space.
“We promised not to do another company,” Jouini admitted. “But AI made us rethink everything.”