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Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, CodeBuddy provides AI-assisted software development tools and custom engineering services that help non-technical entrepreneurs and developers build web and mobile software applications. The company operates with a workforce of 10 to 49 employees and has secured a total of $980,000 in venture capital funding to date. This capitalization includes an $880,000 second-stage seed round raised recently to further expand its platform, which features multi-file code generation and deep codebase analysis. CodeBuddy serves a client base of over 100 global customers, delivering custom SaaS solutions to organizations that include Y Combinator-backed enterprises and unicorn startups. The firm's custom development services require a minimum project size of $10,000, with developer billing rates ranging from $25 to $49 per hour. Formerly known as Invisible CodeBuddy, the software organization was officially founded in 2021.
CodeBuddy has raised $870K across 1 funding round.
CodeBuddy has raised $870K in total across 1 funding round.
CodeBuddy has raised $870K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $870K Seed in May 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | $870K Seed | — | Cultivation Capital | Announced |
CodeBuddy has raised $870K in total across 1 funding round.
CodeBuddy's investors include Cultivation Capital.
CodeBuddy is a Nebraska-based technology startup founded in 2021 that builds AI-powered tools and services to democratize software development for non-technical entrepreneurs, creatives, and developers.[1][3][5] Its core product, rIDE, is an AI-integrated platform offering software planning, coding assistance, starter kits, and expert mentorship to streamline building scalable web apps without deep technical expertise, solving the problem of high costs, long timelines, and skill barriers in software creation.[1][3][5] The company serves entrepreneurs lacking coding knowledge and developers needing efficient resources, with recent growth including a $872K-$880K seed round (total raised $980K), a new Lincoln office opened in September 2025, and active scaling of its user base and engineer network.[1][5]
This positions CodeBuddy in the booming AI-dev tools space, blending AI agents trained on a unified enterprise-grade tech stack with human experts for reliable, owner-managed outcomes like full code access and cloud deployment.[3]
CodeBuddy was founded in 2021 by Devon Seacrest (CEO), a repeat co-founder with over 24 years in high-growth software companies, alongside Hunter Dorhout (CTO), lead architect for DoD-supporting tech, Tanner Lytle (Growth) with 15+ years in tech sales, and James Erickson (Engineering), architect for nuclear logistics software.[3][5] The idea emerged from Seacrest's vision to make software building accessible to anyone, regardless of budget, time, or skills, inspired by the need for tools that bridge non-technical visions with reliable execution.[3][5]
Early years were fully remote, with the team split between Lincoln and Omaha, using virtual tools, NMotion accelerator coworking, and ad-hoc spots like libraries or Seacrest’s family law firm for meetings.[5] Pivotal moments include launching the AI-powered rIDE platform, closing an $880K seed round just 12 days before late 2025 data, and opening its first physical HQ in Lincoln in early September 2025 to boost collaboration and visibility.[1][5] Formerly known as Invisible CodeBuddy, it evolved from AI-assisted coding guidance to a full ecosystem with starter kits and certified experts.[1][3]
CodeBuddy stands out in the crowded dev tools market through these key strengths:
These features yield high client satisfaction, with 5-star Clutch ratings and endorsements from leaders at Fast Forward, Altaba, and others.[2][3]
CodeBuddy rides the AI democratization wave in software development, where tools like rIDE lower barriers amid exploding demand for custom apps in a post-LLM world—timing perfectly with 2025's AI agent maturity and no-code/low-code surges.[1][3][5] Market forces favoring it include talent shortages, rising dev costs (addressed via hybrid AI-expert efficiency), and SMBs' need for fast, affordable digital transformation in sectors like legal (e.g., notary platforms), real estate (virtual tours), and SaaS.[2][5]
By enabling non-technical founders in underserved regions like Nebraska's Silicon Prairie, it influences the ecosystem through local job creation, community visibility via its new Lincoln HQ, and scalable models that could support "almost every business with a digital footprint."[3][5] This counters Big Tech dominance, fostering broader innovation via accessible, reliable tools.
CodeBuddy is poised for acceleration, "heads down" on product builds, user expansion, and operations scaling post-seed funding and office launch—targeting broader adoption of rIDE for SMBs and enterprises.[5] Incoming trends like advanced AI agents, edge computing, and remote dev workflows will amplify its hybrid model, potentially evolving it into a full dev platform with deeper DoD-inspired security and global engineer networks.[3][5]
As AI reshapes coding, CodeBuddy's founder-led focus on vision-to-reality tools could redefine accessibility, turning non-technical ideas into high-growth software—fulfilling Seacrest's pledge that "anybody can build software to improve their lives."[3] Watch for Series A and enterprise wins to cement its disruptive edge.
