Vishal Sikka, ex-Infosys CEO, heads a new startup, Hang Ten Systems, which leverages AI-driven automation to transform how enterprises build and operate software, securing $32 million in seed funding from top investors.
- Hang Ten Systems raised $32M seed from Mayfield and Aramco Ventures
- AI-driven software development aims to disrupt traditional IT services
- Working with Siemens Gamesa and Fresenius on AI-native projects
What happened
Vishal Sikka, previously CEO of Infosys and a veteran in enterprise software from SAP and Oracle, has launched a new startup called Hang Ten Systems focused on AI-driven enterprise software development. The company recently secured $32 million in a seed funding round led by Mayfield, with strategic participation from Aramco Ventures.
Hang Ten Systems offers an AI-native approach to continuously building, modifying, and operating software through automation and agentic code generation. Its executive team includes longtime collaborators of Sikka from his past ventures, and the startup has already attracted notable customers including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Fresenius.
Why it matters
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture when traditional IT services firms, which historically relied on large headcounts for outsourcing enterprise software work, face potential disruption by AI technologies that promise greater automation and scalability. Hang Ten’s AI-centric model aims to scale more efficiently than legacy firms, offering reusable AI skills and domain expertise.
This development contributes to an ongoing debate on AI’s impact on the IT services market. While some industry leaders see AI expanding the sector’s addressable market, others anticipate a fundamental shift in how software is built and maintained. Hang Ten serves as a test case for how AI-first IT services startups might reshape the landscape.
What to watch next
Monitor Hang Ten’s growth trajectory, especially its ability to expand its customer base and geographical reach beyond its Bay Area headquarters, as it hires across engineering, delivery, sales, and leadership roles. Its success in deploying AI-native solutions for large enterprises will be critical in validating its business model.
Keep an eye on how established IT services firms, including Infosys itself, respond both strategically and operationally to Hang Ten and similar startups. Their moves to integrate AI—whether through partnerships or internal capabilities—will influence market dynamics and investor sentiment amid the sector’s evolving outlook.