HyperDev, a generative AI software development platform operating in Europe and South Africa, raised over $1 million (R16 million) in pre-seed funding from venture capital investors based in Europe and the UK. The investment reflects strong confidence in the startup's AI-assisted coding approach as the platform approaches a user base of 100,000. The funding comes amid a crowded AI coding assistant market, where HyperDev addresses the 'last mile' problem by helping users deploy working software rather than merely generating code snippets through its proprietary Guided Mode feature.
HyperDev Raises R16 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
HyperDev successfully raised more than $1 million (R16 million) in a pre-seed funding round from a network of venture capital investors based in Europe and the UK. The platform differentiates itself by solving the 'last mile' problem of software development—assisting users in effectively utilizing code generated by large language models to ship working websites, apps, and fully deployable software through its proprietary Guided Mode. The platform also offers non-technical users the ability to hire developers to refine and ship AI-generated software.
Falk Albers, Managing Director at Reinsurance Intelligence Quotient (RIQ) and General Partner at Loom Ventures, stated: "We backed HyperDev because they combine genuine AI R&D depth with a built-in distribution channel of millions of developers. While most vibe coding tools are thin wrappers around third-party LLMs, HyperDev is building proprietary technology that makes code generation actually useful. That combination of real tech and built-in distribution is rare at any stage – at pre-seed, it's exceptional."
Founding Team Brings OpenAI and Google AI Experience
The founding team includes Piotr Sobolewski, a former OpenAI employee who contributed to the technology behind ChatGPT, and Riaz Moola, who previously worked at Google on AI methods utilized in tools like Gemini. This technical expertise was a key factor in attracting investor interest.
Piotr Sobolewski, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder at HyperDev, highlighted the core problem the company addresses: "Every AI coding tool on the market was built on the assumption that generating code was the hard part. We built HyperDev because we knew the hard part was what came after, and nobody else seems to be solving that."
Platform Reaches Nearly 100,000 Users in Under Three Months
HyperDev grew to nearly 100,000 users in less than three months. The platform's Guided Mode resulted in improved user engagement, with retention rates nearly doubling since its launch.
Kenne Loubser, Chief Marketing Officer at HyperDev, stated: "AI app builders are seeing high user churn, so retention is the metric that matters most. Since the launch of Guided Mode, we've seen a near doubling in the retention rate of users."
HyperDev Operates Across 14 Countries with Integrated Education Platform
The platform is live with users across 14 countries, who are building mobile apps, e-commerce stores, personal websites, fintech solutions, and edtech platforms using Guided AI. HyperDev is strategically integrated with the HyperionDev edtech platform, offering users access to university-backed technical education.
Anton Moulder, Head of Product at HyperDev, stated: "The platforms that dominate this space were built by people who assumed developers would use AI the way a small number of well-resourced engineers use it. Most of the world's builders do not have that safety net. We built HyperDev for them — and the growth tells us we were right."
FAQ
What funding did HyperDev raise?
HyperDev raised over $1 million (R16 million) in pre-seed funding from venture capital investors based in Europe and the UK.
Who are the founders of HyperDev?
The founding team includes Piotr Sobolewski, a former OpenAI employee who worked on ChatGPT technology, and Riaz Moola, who previously worked at Google on AI methods used in Gemini.
How many users does HyperDev have?
HyperDev grew to nearly 100,000 users in less than three months and operates across 14 countries.
