When Sheena Leven completed her journey with CodeSee, which was acquired in 2024, she carried forward two critical insights that would shape her next venture. First, she recognized the fundamental gap between flashy tech visions and actual business requirements. Second, she understood that regardless of technological advancements, core principles like security and compliance remain non-negotiable for enterprise applications.
These realizations led Leven to identify a significant market opportunity: enabling business owners without technical expertise to harness AI’s power for application development. This vision materialized as Empromptu, an AI service launched in October 2023 in partnership with AI researcher Sean Robinson.
Empromptu: Bridging the Technical Gap for Business Owners
Empromptu distinguishes itself by offering an intuitive approach to AI application development. Users simply communicate their requirements to the platform’s AI chatbot—whether they need an HTML application or JavaScript functionality—and the system generates the corresponding solution. Beyond basic creation, the platform provides Large Language Model (LLM) tools for refining outputs and facilitates the integration of AI capabilities into existing codebases.
While similar platforms exist in the market, Leven positions Empromptu differently from what she calls “vibe-coding” solutions like Replit and Lovable. “Vibe coding works wonderfully for experimental projects, but Empromptu transforms these experiments into production-ready software,” she explains. The platform incorporates evaluation mechanisms, governance frameworks, and self-improvement capabilities—essential elements for deploying applications that handle real customer data while maintaining complete control.
Strategic Funding to Fuel Growth
Empromptu recently secured $2 million in pre-seed funding, with Precursor Ventures leading the round. Additional participants included Zeal Capital, Alumni Ventures, Founders Edge, and South Loop. This financial backing will support critical initiatives including team expansion and proprietary technology development.
The company has identified a strategic target market: businesses launching in regulated industries or complex sectors that require sophisticated data capture and application development. For instance, Empromptu could serve companies developing software solutions for the hospitality industry, where data handling requirements are particularly nuanced.
Democratizing AI Application Development
Leven’s ultimate vision extends beyond simply providing a tool—she aims to democratize technological innovation. By removing technical barriers, Empromptu allows entrepreneurs to transform their businesses without mastering complex coding skills. “AI application development is just another skill,” Leven notes, “but what makes it accessible is that AI itself can guide users through the learning process.”
This approach addresses a growing challenge in the business landscape: how can companies leverage cutting-edge AI technologies without extensive technical expertise or significant investment in specialized talent? Empromptu’s solution enables businesses to participate in the AI revolution regardless of their technical capabilities, potentially leveling the playing field between tech-savvy startups and traditional businesses.
The Enterprise Focus: Beyond Experimentation
What sets Empromptu apart from many AI development platforms is its enterprise-grade approach. While many tools excel at creating prototypes or proof-of-concepts, Empromptu focuses on delivering production-ready applications that adhere to enterprise standards for security, compliance, and reliability.
This distinction is crucial in regulated industries where experimental approaches often fail to meet stringent requirements. By incorporating governance frameworks and evaluation mechanisms from the outset, Empromptu enables businesses to move directly from concept to compliant implementation—significantly reducing the time and resources typically required for this transition.
The Future of Business-Led AI Development
As AI technologies continue to evolve, platforms like Empromptu represent a significant shift in how businesses approach application development. Rather than viewing AI as a specialized domain requiring expert knowledge, this model positions AI as an enabler that can bridge technical gaps while maintaining enterprise standards.
For business owners, this approach offers a compelling proposition: the ability to translate industry expertise directly into functional applications without intermediate technical translation. This direct path from domain knowledge to implementation could potentially accelerate innovation across sectors that have traditionally lagged in technological adoption.