AI-native software development platform Tessl, co-founded by industry veteran and founder of Snyk,  Guy Podjarny (‘Guypo’), has raised $125 million.

The funding consists of a $100 million Series A led by Index Ventures with participation from Accel, GV, and boldstart ventures, and a previously unannounced $25 million Seed round led by boldstart ventures and GV.

While most AI coding tools focus on automating parts of existing workflows, Tessl is reimagining software creation from the ground up – moving from a ‘code-centric’ to a ‘spec-centric’ model that will make development radically more accessible, productive, maintainable and secure. 

By removing the reliance on coding, software will become highly adaptable, personalised, portable from platform to platform, and constantly improving with less human effort.

“We’re creating a new paradigm where humans express what they want to build, and AI handles the implementation,” says Guypo, Tessl founder and CEO. 

“Developers remain in control, but Tessl frees them up from writing, debugging and maintaining every line of code. 

The creation process becomes more about understanding customer pain points and user needs, problem-solving and system design – and the end result is better software for everyone.’

At its core, Tessl is building a system of record for the AI native development era – an open platform that enables and accelerates the work of AI-native developers. 

With Tessl, developers can come together to define and build software based on specs, in close collaboration with both AI and other developers. 

“Software ate the world. Tessl is opening up the kitchen,” says Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas, Partner, Index Ventures. 

“We’ve known Guypo for years, and he’s one of those rare people who can sweat the details but also sees the big picture. 

What he’s building with Tessl isn’t just a tool, but a movement to change how software gets made.”

“I’ve always been passionate about serving developer communities and making their lives better,”says Guypo. 

“The first startup I founded made web applications faster, the second made software more secure, and now the third is trying to redefine how we build software.”

Tessl opens the waitlist for its platform today and will launch in early 2025. 

The new funding will allow Tessl to build out the platform and accelerate hiring in AI research, engineering, product, design, and developer relations.

Lead image: Tessl. Photo: uncredited.