The tech startup world is often seen as a dense thicket of jargon, buzzwords, and grand claims. But sometimes, a story truly breaks new ground. I came across one such tale that not only caught my attention but also inspired me as a female entrepreneur navigating the tech world. Minitap, a newly founded company in 2025, raised $4.1 million in seed funding to make mobile app development significantly faster by leveraging AI, a revolutionary step that might reshape how we build mobile features entirely. Let’s dive into why this matters for entrepreneurs across Europe and the globe.
Why Minitap Caught My Eye
Mobile development has long been a pain point for startups, particularly for those of us running lean operations. While web development has embraced agile methodologies and sped up immensely in recent years, mobile development tends to crawl along. Between cross-platform compatibility checks and endless testing on different devices, launching a simple update or feature can still take weeks. For bootstrap founders like myself, time is our most valuable resource, and long development cycles hinder growth.
Minitap steps in as a solution to this exact problem. Unlike traditional apps that demand constant back-and-forth between product managers and engineering teams, this platform uses AI to take on much of the heavy lifting. The end goal? Empower non-technical teams, think product managers and designers, to conceptualize, test, and ship new mobile app features without waiting weeks for engineers to code, troubleshoot, and deploy.
The two 23-year-old founders of Minitap (talk about impressive underdog energy!), who hail from rural France, have managed to disrupt a space dominated by industry giants like Google and Microsoft. Within just 40 days of launching, they became the top performers on Android’s AI benchmark, ahead of Google DeepMind. A true David-versus-Goliath moment.
What Minitap Is Actually Doing Differently
To break this down, here’s what makes Minitap’s approach stand out:
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Autonomous Mobile Testing: Instead of a developer manually checking how features work on Android or iOS devices, Minitap automates this process using its AI. This fights one of the biggest bottlenecks in the current development cycle.
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Cloud Device Configurations: This step might seem technical, but to put it in simple terms: every app needs to run smoothly across various devices with different software and screen sizes. Minitap spins up virtual devices in the cloud to simulate these environments, meaning thousands of tests can run simultaneously instead of one-by-one.
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Code-Free Iteration and Deployment: Got an idea for a new feature? Minitap lets you describe it, attach a prototype design (e.g., from Figma), and rely on the platform to generate its code. Changes and A/B tests can be live within hours, a game-changer for startups that need quick results.
Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs in Europe
For those of us bootstrapping businesses, this story isn’t just about celebrating a tech marvel. It delivers lessons that every founder can draw from.
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Collaborate Across Borders: The backing that Minitap has received from major investors, including names like Thomas Wolf from Hugging Face, shows the power of a connected European and global ecosystem. European founders are often quick to dismiss the depth of our local tech community, but stories like this remind us how wrong that is.
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Don’t Underestimate DIY AI: The founders of Minitap started without deep pockets or corporate ties, yet outperformed technology leaders by maximizing open-source AI tools. If you’re building in tech, consider what free-to-use machine learning frameworks and tools are readily available to get you started.
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Speed is a Competitive Advantage: Startups live and die by how quickly they can adapt, and technology that lets you experiment faster is invaluable. For example, in my own startup journey with the Fe/Male Switch, enabling teams and individuals to test entrepreneurial ideas quickly has been central to our success. Minitap is extending that philosophy to mobile apps, which is a sector overdue for disruption.
How You Can Stay Ahead
Now, let’s make this practical. If you’re running or preparing to launch your startup, here are some steps to integrate lessons from Minitap into your own approach:
- Anchor Speed in Your Process: Whether it's experimenting with marketing channels, beta-testing an app, or developing your MVP, aim for workflows that prioritize quick decision-making over perfection.
- Use Technology, Even on a Budget: Platforms like Minitap, or even free AI solutions like GitHub Copilot, could save your team months of manual work. Investigate the tools you can plug into your processes and start small.
- Leverage Your Europe-Specific Edge: As a European female founder, you’re part of a bustling mix of cross-border talent, deep academic resources, and supportive networks such as Brightlands or Startup Leap. Tap these ecosystems like the Minitap founders have done!
Mistakes Many Entrepreneurs Make When It Comes to Tech
Let’s not ignore the pitfalls. I’ve seen founders hesitate to embrace AI-enabled tools out of fear, skepticism, or simply a belief that they ought to do things "the hard way." This hesitancy slows growth and erodes competitiveness. Similarly, avoid overbanking on technologies like AI as a fix-all, while they can be catalytic, they are best complemented by sound strategies and diverse talent.
Not involving your team in the technology adoption process is another misstep. Founders often try to deploy tools in isolation without considering how it fits their team’s workflows. Community feedback is critical before diving headfirst.
Final Thoughts
Minitap’s achievements are both a wake-up call and an inspiration. For European entrepreneurs, particularly women in tech, this story dismisses the myth that you need Silicon Valley connections to make global waves. It's about hustling smart, using what’s available, and daring to tackle traditional inefficiencies.
And if there’s one takeaway, it’s this: technology is no longer reserved for highly funded, multinational startups. With tools like those offered by Minitap, even lean teams and solopreneurs can punch above their weight. The next breakthrough might come from someone like you, so why not start today?
FAQ
1. What is Minitap, and why has it gained attention in the tech community?
Minitap is an AI-powered mobile development platform that claims to make mobile feature shipping 10 times faster by automating the traditionally slow processes of testing and iteration. It recently gained attention due to raising $4.1 million in seed funding and outperforming industry giants like Google DeepMind on Android’s AI benchmark within 40 days. Learn more about Minitap’s breakthrough
2. Who are the founders behind Minitap and what is their background?
Minitap was founded in 2025 by two 23-year-olds from rural France, Nicolas Dehandschoewercker and Luc Mahoux-Nakamura. They surprised the industry by beating tech leaders like Google, ByteDance, and Microsoft Research on key AI benchmarks. Explore Minitap’s founders and journey
3. How does Minitap make mobile development faster?
Minitap achieves this through its AI-driven platform that automates mobile testing, virtualizes device configurations, and replaces manual coding with AI-generated code based on feature descriptions and design prototypes. See how it works in practice
4. Who are the primary investors and backers supporting Minitap’s vision?
Minitap’s $4.1 million funding round was co-led by Moxxie Ventures and Mercuri, with participation from EWOR, Tekton Ventures, Amigos Venture Capital, and experts from companies like Hugging Face, FlixBus, and OpenAI. Read about their investing team
5. What makes Minitap’s technology innovative compared to competitors?
Minitap differentiates itself by combining an open-source AI framework for autonomous interaction with devices and a cloud-based infrastructure capable of testing thousands of device configurations in parallel. This eliminates bottlenecks and speeds up development cycles. Learn more about their tech
6. Can Minitap help non-technical teams build mobile features without engineers?
Yes, Minitap’s platform enables non-technical teams like product managers to describe features, attach Figma prototypes, and use AI to generate, test, and deploy code within hours, all without developer involvement. Discover Minitap’s user-friendly approach
7. How does Minitap’s cloud technology enhance mobile app testing?
Minitap’s cloud technology enables the simulation of thousands of device configurations (e.g., different screen sizes, operating systems) simultaneously. This parallelization significantly reduces testing time compared to traditional methods. Explore cloud testing benefits
8. What challenges in mobile development is Minitap solving?
Minitap is addressing slow development cycles, fragmented device compatibility, and manual coding inefficiencies. By automating these steps with AI, Minitap streamlines processes that typically take weeks. Learn about the mobile dev challenges Minitap solves
9. Which industries or teams can benefit the most from Minitap’s platform?
Growth and product teams from consumer app companies, startups, and even enterprises burdened by slow mobile iterations can significantly benefit, allowing them to conduct more experiments and adapt faster. See how Minitap supports different teams
10. What lessons can European startups and entrepreneurs learn from Minitap’s success?
Minitap exemplifies the value of leveraging open-source tools, collaborating across borders, and embracing innovation to compete with tech giants. Their accomplishment highlights the power of Europe’s tech ecosystem in driving global disruption. Read insights on lessons for startups
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
