In the era of generative AI, various industries are experiencing transformative changes, and software development is no exception. Autify, a startup based in San Francisco and Tokyo, has introduced an autonomous AI agent designed specifically for software quality assurance. This innovative tool aims to assist software engineers in expediting code completion, optimizing workflows, and enhancing productivity. Essentially, it functions as an AI QA engineer tailored for the needs of developers.
The company announced on Monday the successful closure of a $13 million Series B funding round, alongside the launch of its beta version of Zenes, aimed primarily at customers in the United States. With this latest funding, Autify has raised a total of $30 million, which includes $24 million in equity and $6 million in debt financing.
The Series B round was co-led by Global Capital Partners and LG Technology Ventures, with participation from existing investors such as World Innovation Lab (WiL), Salesforce Ventures, Archetype Venture, and Uncorrelated Ventures.
Founded in 2016 by former software engineers Ryo Chikazawa (CEO) and Sam Yamashita, Autify emerged from their personal experiences with the lengthy processes associated with software testing. To tackle this challenge, they developed Autify NoCode—a platform that enhances efficiency and improves the quality engineering process for both developers and QA teams, ultimately saving valuable time and resources.
NoCode primarily serves users in Japan and South Korea who traditionally depend on manual testing. Now in beta, Zenes is specifically crafted for U.S.-based clients.
Zenes operates by generating test cases through an analysis of product requirement documents. It automates the creation of test codes and maintains these codes automatically. According to Autify, Zenes can reduce the time required to create test cases by 55%, distinguishing it from competitors in the market.
The Functionality of Zenes
Zenes allows users to upload product requirement documents in multiple formats such as .html, .pdf, .docx, and .md. The AI agent then produces a comprehensive set of outlined test cases based on the product specifications. Users have the option to refine these test cases to enhance accuracy before Zenes generates automated test codes.
Chikazawa emphasized that AI’s role is not to replace human workers but rather to augment their capabilities, fostering creativity within the software development process. He believes that generative AI will redefine both development and quality assurance practices.
With the recent funding, Autify plans to integrate additional AI capabilities to further enhance its software QA offerings. Moreover, the startup has formed a partnership with LG CNS—an IT service division of LG Corp—to facilitate its expansion into the Korean market while continuing to serve its core markets in the U.S. and Japan.
Although Autify has not disclosed specific customer numbers, it has expanded its services to 16 countries since its Series A funding in 2021 when it was available in only two countries. The company caters to both B2C and B2B clients including notable names like DeNA, NEC, NTT Smart Connect, Yahoo, and ZoZo. Additionally, Autify’s workforce has grown significantly from 30 employees in 2021 to over 100 today.
