Numerous tech companies and startups have invested in artificial intelligence to assist in software development. Tessl, a new AI company, has now emerged with a unique approach, aiming to address the challenges that arise as both humans and AI contribute to the coding process.
Tessl is developing an “AI-native” platform for developers and teams to create and maintain software more efficiently. The startup, headquartered in London, recently opened a waitlist for its upcoming product, expected to launch early next year. Tessl has raised $125 million across seed and Series A funding rounds, led by Index Ventures, with participation from Accel, GV (Google Ventures), and Boldstart. This funding has pushed Tessl’s valuation to an impressive $750 million.
Tessl’s founder and CEO, Guy Podjarny, has a strong background in developer-focused startups. Previously, he founded Snyk, a cybersecurity company that was valued at $7.4 billion as of 2022, and before that, he served as CTO at Akamai after his first startup, Blaze, was acquired. Podjarny’s experience with Snyk highlighted the need for efficient code maintenance, particularly as AI-generated code increases. He observed that while AI accelerates software development, it also introduces complexities in managing and updating code, which can lead to security and operational issues. This realization led to the creation of Tessl.
Tessl, named after “tessellation” to emphasize seamless code integration, will allow developers and non-coders to provide software specifications in natural language or code. Tessl will generate the code accordingly, and teams can then test and refine it in a sandbox environment. The platform will also automatically monitor and maintain the code, resolving issues that arise over time.
Initially, Tessl will support Java, JavaScript, and Python, with plans to add more languages in the future. The platform will be designed to integrate with other AI coding tools, enabling cross-platform maintenance. Although it could compete with established tools like GitHub Copilot, Anysphere’s Cursor, and OpenAI’s Codex, Tessl’s flexible approach may also allow it to complement these tools rather than replace them.
The startup’s extensibility and Podjarny’s expertise in developer tools have made Tessl an attractive investment, with high expectations for its impact on AI-driven coding solutions.
