# Africa’s Top Founder Launches AI Startup, Raises $9M
From $120M Exit to AI Innovation
When Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani sold their expense management platform Expensya for over $120 million in 2023 – one of Africa’s largest startup exits – they planned to retire from entrepreneurship. Jouini transitioned to a CTO role at acquiring company Medius, overseeing global integrations across three continents.
The AI Revolution Changes Plans
After experiencing the transformative power of generative AI firsthand, the founders have returned with Thunder Code, an AI-powered software testing platform that recently secured $9 million in seed funding.
“We promised not to start another company after Expensya,” Jouini told TechCrunch. “But like having a second child, we forgot how hard the first was. This venture is less than six months old but already shows unicorn potential.”
How Thunder Code Is Transforming Software Testing
The startup deploys AI agents that simulate human testers, identifying UI/UX issues while continuously learning from feedback. This addresses the universal challenge of slow, manual testing processes slowing down software development.
Lightning-Fast Execution
Applying lessons from Expensya, the team prioritized speed-to-market:
- Delivered first MVP in just 6 weeks
- Product maturity outpaced Expensya’s four-year progress in months
- Current focus on web app testing with mobile/API expansion planned for 2025
The company already serves paid clients across the U.S., Canada, France, and Tunisia through pilots and partnerships with QA teams.
Strategic Funding and Market Potential
Thunder Code’s $9 million seed round includes:
- Repeat investors from Expensya’s cap table
- Key figures like Roxanne Varza (Station F) and Karim Beguir (InstaDeep)
- Former Expensya employees reinvesting their acquisition proceeds
The company targets a $100 billion software testing market currently dominated by legacy providers. Unlike competitors using conventional code-based approaches, Thunder Code leverages AI agents for faster, more adaptable solutions.
Why This Startup Stands Out
Key competitive advantages include:
- Othmani’s deep generative AI expertise from pre-ChatGPT applications
- Complementary founder strengths in technology and operations
- Strategic Paris and Tunis locations bridging European and African tech ecosystems
As Jouini puts it: “We’re not afraid of dilution if it means creating a unicorn. With AI, we can generate 10x the value with fewer people.” The startup embodies the new wave of AI-powered, lean tech companies redefining software development worldwide.