How Blok is Using AI Personas to Transform App Testing
When building apps, developers often face the challenge of understanding how real users will interact with new features. Traditional methods like beta testing or simulation software can be slow, expensive, and incomplete. That's where Blok’s AI personas come in. Blok, an emerging startup, uses AI-powered simulations to mimic real user behavior—allowing developers to test features and improve user experience before shipping a product. With AI tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and Replit enhancing code development, Blok fills the gap by bringing AI to usability testing and UX research, solving a major pain point in the software development lifecycle.
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Blok’s AI Personas Offer Real-World Testing Without the Hassle
Instead of releasing a beta version and waiting for feedback, Blok enables developers to test how different types of users will interact with an app—instantly. Using AI personas, developers can simulate a wide range of user behaviors, preferences, and actions. This includes everything from a casual first-time user to a power user navigating advanced features. It’s a more dynamic, data-driven way to predict friction points, identify bugs, and optimize onboarding or engagement flows. The system adapts and learns over time, providing deep insights that go beyond surface-level analytics. With AI simulating authentic interactions, developers can iterate faster and with more confidence.
Meet the Founders Behind Blok’s Innovative AI Testing Platform
Blok was founded in 2024 by Tom Charman and Olivia Higgs, two experienced entrepreneurs with a background in travel, education, and early-stage startup growth. Their vision was simple: build smarter tools that empower product teams to make decisions with better data, earlier in the dev cycle. Their shared expertise in startup ecosystems helped them recognize how frustrating and inefficient product testing can be. They created Blok to make that process not only easier but also more predictive. With AI models trained on diverse user behavior, Blok brings an unprecedented level of nuance and foresight into the app testing process.
Investors See Big Potential in Blok’s AI-Powered Approach
Blok’s innovative idea and strong founding team attracted $7.5 million in funding across two rounds. The $5 million seed round was led by MaC Venture Capital, with support from tech veterans at companies like Google, Meta, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Earlier, the pre-seed round was backed by Protagonist, Rackhouse, Ryan Hoover’s Weekend Fund, and Blank Ventures. This level of early support shows investor confidence in the product’s ability to scale across app development teams, from indie builders to large-scale enterprise software companies. As generative AI reshapes how we build software, Blok positions itself as a critical piece of the puzzle—bridging code creation and real-world user insight.
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