Generative AI startup Thunder Code has rebranded as Thunders, marking a strategic shift in how the company presents its mission and technology. The move comes only three months after the startup announced a $9 million seed round, underscoring the founders’ commitment to agility and decisive brand positioning. The updated identity includes a redesigned website, an open signup model, and a clarified mission to make AI-driven testing accessible to all software stakeholders.
The Reason for Rebranding
According to CEO and co-founder Karim Jouini, the former name “Thunder Code” created misconceptions about the company’s offering. “It sounded technical, complex, code-heavy,” he explained, noting that the platform’s essence has always been simplicity and automation. By adopting the name Thunders, the company seeks to better communicate its goal of democratizing software quality assurance through no-code, AI-powered solutions.
Lessons in Startup Branding
The decision to rebrand reflects a broader lesson often learned by early-stage companies: names can shape perception and adoption. Technical-sounding identities may resonate with developers but risk alienating non-technical users who increasingly influence software delivery. In Thunders’ case, the new name signals inclusivity for QA engineers, DevOps teams, product managers, and business stakeholders alike.
Founders with a Proven Track Record
Thunders was founded in late 2023 by serial entrepreneurs Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, the team behind Expensya’s $120 million exit. Drawing from their experience, the founders prioritized speed to market, launching an MVP in just six weeks and securing paying clients shortly thereafter. Their new venture applies the same principles of rapid iteration, market responsiveness, and strategic foresight.
Funding and Investor Support
In June 2025, the startup secured a $9 million seed round led by Silicon Badia and Jaango Capital, with participation from angel investors including Station F director Roxanne Varza and InstaDeep CEO Karim Beguir. The capital is fueling Thunders’ product development, global expansion, and team growth. With early traction in the United States, Canada, France, and Tunisia, the company has already positioned itself as an emerging player in the global AI testing market.
Industry Context and Market Opportunity
Software testing remains a costly and time-consuming process, often slowing delivery cycles. Thunders addresses this pain point with AI “agents” that autonomously test applications and reduce the reliance on manual QA processes. As the global software testing market is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2027, the company aims to capture demand from both enterprise and growth-stage technology teams seeking more efficient solutions.
The Name Game in Tech
Rebranding is a familiar phenomenon in the tech industry, where early names sometimes fail to scale with global ambitions. Mobility startup Plentywaka, for example, rebranded as Treepz to avoid cultural misinterpretations across Africa. For Thunders, the challenge was less about geography and more about ensuring that the brand accurately reflected its inclusive, no-code approach.
Roadmap and Future Plans
Alongside the rebrand, Thunders has launched a redesigned website and removed its waitlist, making the platform publicly accessible. The company’s roadmap includes extending its AI testing capabilities to mobile, desktop, and API testing by late 2025. With a clearer identity and expanded reach, Thunders is positioning itself as a credible challenger to established testing providers.
Thunders’ rebrand illustrates how clarity and inclusivity can play a decisive role in a startup’s growth trajectory. By addressing potential barriers early, the company avoids costly pivots later while strengthening its market positioning. With experienced founders, fresh funding, and a sharpened brand, Thunders is entering its next phase with momentum and ambition.