Customized Coding Assistants

Continue is a startup founded in June 2023 by Ty Dunn and Nate Sesti, aimed at providing customized AI coding assistants for developers. With around 23,000 stars on GitHub and 11,000 members on Discord, Continue has already gained attention in the industry. The startup recently announced version 1.0 of its product, backed by $3 million in seed funding. AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot and Google’s Gemini Code Assist are proliferating, and Continue positions itself as the leading open-source AI code assistant. The idea is to allow teams to link their models and contexts, integrating data from platforms like Jira or Confluence to provide autocomplete and chat experiences directly within the coding environment. Autocomplete offers real-time code suggestions, while the chat function allows users to ask questions about specific pieces of code, and the edit function enables users to modify code by describing the desired changes.

In addition to the product launch, Continue introduced a new hub where developers can create and share customized AI coding assistants. This hub acts as a gathering place for various components, allowing developers to define and manage the different elements of their assistants. At launch, the hub includes pre-built AI coding assistants and blocks from verified partners. Any developer can contribute their blocks and assistants, promoting a culture of sharing and customization.

Continue aims to establish a 'culture of contribution,' encouraging developers to experiment and share their customizations. This way, users can better control how they manage their data, avoiding reliance on closed and proprietary platforms. The startup targets developers of various sizes, from small teams to large enterprises. The business model includes a free plan for individual developers and paid options for organizations needing greater control and security. With recent funding of $3 million, Continue plans to expand its team and improve its product.