Tessl, a startup founded by Guy Podjarny, has successfully raised $125 million to develop its innovative AI-driven software development platform, which aims to transform how developers communicate specifications using natural language.

The funding includes a $25 million seed round led by Boldstart Ventures and GV, alongside a $100 million Series A round led by Index Ventures, valuing Tessl at approximately $750 million.

Index Ventures partner Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas praised Podjarny's vision, highlighting Tessl as a transformative movement in software creation rather than just another tool.

Currently, Tessl is testing preliminary versions of its coding assistant with a small group of 21 employees and plans to launch the platform for general use in early 2025, with a waitlist for early access.

The platform is designed to reduce the need for extensive coding, allowing for adaptable and portable software that can improve with minimal human intervention.

Initially, Tessl will support programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, and Python, with plans to expand to additional languages in the future.

This new approach is expected to accelerate development processes, reduce maintenance work, and make software development more accessible to a broader range of users.

Tessl aims to streamline modifications required when APIs are updated, enhancing the interaction between enterprise applications and external services.

The platform will not only generate software but also assist in its maintenance by automatically detecting and fixing performance issues.

Podjarny emphasizes that developers will retain control over the development process, allowing them to focus on understanding user needs and system design.

UK government officials have expressed optimism about Tessl's potential to significantly boost the UK's tech sector and digital economy, highlighting the country's attractiveness for tech investments.

The AI coding assistant market is competitive, with established products like GitHub Copilot and emerging startups such as Cognition and Codeium, positioning Tessl as a noteworthy contender.