Recce, the innovative open-source platform for data-native code review, has just closed a significant $4 million pre-seed funding round led by Heavybit, with notable participation from Vertex Ventures US, Hive Ventures, and a consortium of angel investors. The funding will fuel the expansion of its cloud-based offering and further its mission to redefine how code reviews happen in the AI era.
Bringing Data Integrity to the Forefront of AI Development
Founded by CL Kao, known for creating the Git-precursor SVK, Recce introduces a modern approach to data transformation workflows. The platform integrates essential features like data diffing, validation checklists, and query result comparisons directly into the development lifecycle. These functions are essential for data engineers and scientists striving to ensure data correctness in increasingly complex AI systems.
Kao emphasized, “In the age where AI models are rapidly becoming commoditized, it’s the proprietary data that becomes a true competitive edge. Recce ensures that not only the logic but also the data itself is continuously validated.”
From Open-Source Success to Enterprise Collaboration
Since its inception as an open-source toolkit in 2023, Recce has gained momentum on GitHub with over 3,600 weekly downloads. Users range from major media outlets like The Philadelphia Inquirer to government organizations in Brazil and Australia. The tool has become a cornerstone in data validation pipelines, automating checks across dozens of downstream data consumers.
“Recce has become essential to our analytics workflow,” stated Brian Waligorski, Lead Data Engineer at The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It enables robust impact analysis and integrates well within our CI/CD pipeline, allowing us to operate faster without sacrificing data quality.”
Introducing Recce Cloud: A Collaborative SaaS Platform
With the launch of Recce OSS 1.0, the company is rolling out Recce Cloud in private beta. This cloud-based extension enables teams to collaborate on data validation efforts with features such as:
- Column-Level Impact Lineage: Visualize and scope downstream data changes with precision.
- Change Exploration Tools: Easily compare production and development data using row-level profiling and value distribution analytics.
- Evidence Collection: Share reusable validation checklists derived from exploration insights.
- Team Collaboration: Share full data-validation context with integrated GitHub workflows, ensuring code merges only after all validations pass.
The platform also includes a generous free tier, supporting accessibility for smaller teams and organizations.
Heavybit and Industry Experts Endorse Recce’s Vision
Heavybit’s General Partner Jesse Robbins, who now joins Recce’s board, sees the platform as instrumental in unlocking new capabilities in AI development. “Data pipelines are the secret sauce in AI. Recce enables organizations to extract maximum value from their proprietary data while maintaining rigorous quality checks,” he said.
Open-source veteran Brian Behlendorf, also joining the board, highlighted the importance of data-forward testing tools. “Randomness in AI demands predictable, structured data validation. Recce meets that need with elegance and precision,” he commented.
Empowering the Future of AI Through Data Validation
As AI continues to evolve, robust data governance is becoming paramount. Recce’s approach aligns with this shift, offering a toolkit that supports high-quality data pipeline management, especially as AI data governance becomes a critical pillar in enterprise success.
Recce’s founder, CL Kao, will speak on the intersection of AI, data pipelines, and deployment strategies at the upcoming Data Council conference in Oakland, California on April 24.
Apply Now for Early Access
Recce Cloud’s private beta is now open for applications. Teams looking to enhance their AI data workflows with a collaborative and reliable platform are encouraged to sign up and experience the future of intelligent data validation firsthand.
