In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and software development, numerous tech giants and startups have attempted to create AI that can write its own code. Now, a new contender has emerged with the aim of addressing the potential issues that may arise when humans and AI collaborate to write code.

Tessl is in the process of developing what it calls an “AI native” platform. This platform is intended to assist developers and their teams in creating and maintaining software. The company has recently launched a waitlist for those who want to test the platform.

Although Tessl’s product has not yet been launched, the London-based startup plans to have it ready in the early part of next year. Despite its product being in the development phase, Tessl has secured $125 million in funding through a seed round and a Series A funding round. Notable participants in the recent funding round include Index Ventures, Accel, GV, and Boldstart, with GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Boldstart co-leading the seed round.

Sources have confirmed that Tessl’s post-money valuation exceeds $500 million.

One of the reasons for the significant interest from high-profile venture capitalists is the person leading the project. Tessl’s CEO and founder, Guy Podjarny, has a track record of successful startups, including Snyk, a cybersecurity firm valued at $7.4 billion in 2022, and Blaze, a company that focused on improving website loading times.

Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas, a partner at Index Ventures, praised Podjarny’s vision and understanding of developer communities and businesses.

According to Podjarny, the idea for Tessl was born from his experience at Snyk, where he saw a growing need for better code and software interoperability in the face of growing AI-written code.

The startup’s name, Tessl, is a nod to “tessellation,” reflecting the goal of ensuring that software code fits together seamlessly.

Details about the types of applications or code that could be built or maintained using Tessl are not yet fully disclosed. However, the plan is to start with relatively simple software that would allow for easy generation by LLMs and easy specification by humans.

Tessl’s basic concept involves developers and their teams providing specifications in the form of natural language or code, which Tessl then uses to write corresponding code. This code can be tested and modified as necessary, with Tessl automated to maintain the code to the given specifications.

Podjarny has mentioned Tessl’s potential to maintain code written by other AI coding assistants, suggesting that Tessl could work alongside other platforms. Tessl will initially support Java, Javascript, and Python, with plans to add more languages over time.

Investors appreciate Tessl’s potential for extensibility and its focus on code maintenance, which is a significant concern in the current tech landscape. It’s also noted that Tessl’s creation of a system of record opens up a variety of opportunities.