HyperDev, a burgeoning generative AI software development platform operating across Europe and South Africa, has successfully raised more than $1 million (R16 million) in a pre-seed funding round.
The investment comes from a network of venture capital investors based in Europe and the UK, signaling strong confidence in the startup’s unique approach to AI-assisted coding as it approaches a user base of 100,000.
While the current market is flooded with AI coding assistants, HyperDev is carving out a distinct niche by solving the “last mile” problem of software development. Instead of merely generating code snippets, the platform’s proprietary “Guided Mode” assists users in effectively utilising code generated by large language models to ship working websites, apps, and fully deployable software.
Furthermore, the platform bridges the gap for non-technical users by offering the ability to hire developers to refine and ship AI-generated software.
Real Tech, Real Distribution
The startup’s deep technological roots and strategic market position were key factors in attracting investor interest.
The founding team boasts significant pedigree, including Piotr Sobolewski, a former OpenAI employee who contributed to the technology behind ChatGPT, and Riaz Moola, who previously worked at Google on AI methods utilised in tools like Gemini.
This technical expertise resonated strongly with lead investors. Falk Albers, Managing Director at Reinsurance Intelligence Quotient (RIQ) and General Partner at Loom Ventures, commented on the investment rationale, stating:
“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.”
Solving the “Hard Part” of AI Coding
The market validation for HyperDev’s approach is evident in its rapid adoption.
The startup has grown to nearly 100,000 users in less than three months, a testament to its effectiveness in addressing the shortcomings of first-generation AI coding tools that often fail to produce deployable software.
Piotr Sobolewski, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder at HyperDev, highlighted the core problem the company is solving:
“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.”
Metrics that Matter
The success of HyperDev’s “Guided Mode” is reflected in key performance indicators.
The platform has successfully transitioned from generation to deployment, resulting in improved user engagement.
Kenne Loubser, Chief Marketing Officer at HyperDev, provided insight into the platform’s performance, stating:
“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.”
A Platform Built for the Real World
The platform is currently live with users across 14 countries, who are utilizing Guided AI to build a wide range of software, including mobile apps, e-commerce stores, personal websites, fintech solutions, and edtech platforms.
Anton Moulder, Head of Product at HyperDev, emphasized the company’s mission to democratize software development:
“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.”
HyperDev is also strategically integrated with the HyperionDev edtech platform, offering users access to university-backed technical education to upskill themselves, creating a robust ecosystem for developer growth.
