Vishal Sikka, the former CEO of global IT giant Infosys, has launched a new startup, Hang Ten Systems, after securing a $32 million seed funding round. The investment saw participation from prominent investors including Mayfield and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Ventures.
Quick Facts
- Funding: $32 million Seed round
- Key Investors: Aramco Ventures, Mayfield
- Founder: Vishal Sikka, former CEO of Infosys
- Mission: AI-driven enterprise software development
An AI-Powered Challenge to Traditional IT Services
Hang Ten Systems is positioning itself to disrupt the massive IT services sector, an industry long reliant on large human teams for software development and operations. The company plans to leverage artificial intelligence to automate and streamline many of the complex processes involved in building and maintaining enterprise-grade software.
The startup’s leadership team includes several experts who have previously worked with Sikka at companies like SAP and VianAI. Their central bet is that AI can significantly reduce the manual effort required in traditional software lifecycles, offering a more efficient alternative. The company is focusing its efforts on “generative programming” and creating what it calls “reusable AI skills.”
Early Traction with Enterprise Giants
Despite its recent launch, Hang Ten has already begun working with major corporate clients, including Siemens Gamesa and Fresenius. This early adoption signals a clear appetite among large organizations to explore new, more efficient models for their software infrastructure.
The move comes as the broader IT services market faces growing discussions about the impact of AI. While some view it as a threat to established business models, others see a massive opportunity. According to estimates from Infosys, the market for “AI-enabled services” could be worth between $300 billion and $400 billion by 2030.
The Aramco Ventures Bet: Scalability Over Headcount
For investors like Aramco Ventures, Hang Ten represents a fundamentally different business model compared to legacy IT service providers. The traditional model’s growth is directly tied to the size of its workforce. In contrast, an AI-driven approach offers the potential for faster, more exponential scalability with each new project, untethered from linear hiring.
This investment aligns with the broader strategy of Saudi Arabian funds to back technologies that can redefine major global industries. Hang Ten is currently hiring for roles in delivery, engineering, and sales, with plans to expand both within the United States and internationally.
About Hang Ten Systems
Founded by former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka, Hang Ten Systems is a US-based technology startup. The company aims to transform enterprise software development and operations by utilizing artificial intelligence, focusing on generative programming and creating reusable AI skills to challenge the traditional, labor-intensive models of the IT services industry.
Source: Jawlah
