SpAItial, a startup founded by Matthias Niessner, a prominent AI 3D model researcher, has raised $13 million in a seed funding round to build a platform for generating 3D models. Niessner, who co-founded Synthesia, an AI avatar startup, envisions a future where AI can generate realistic, interactive 3D environments from simple text prompts. The startup’s model, based on the Mistral Small architecture, aims to create photorealistic 3D spaces that behave like the real world. These environments could be used for various applications, including video games, augmented reality, and 3D visualisations.
The core of SpAItial’s mission is to develop a foundation model that can be used by developers to build different applications, thus bypassing the complexity of the potential trillion-dollar AI opportunities. Although the startup is still in its early stages, its team, including engineers from Google and Meta, is working to create increasingly interactive 3D spaces. This includes the ability to model realistic interactions, such as a glass shattering in a 3D environment, which is seen as a stepping stone toward more immersive, interactive content.
Niessner’s goal is to make 3D generation accessible, allowing users to create their video games in minutes, according to TechCrunch. This ambitious plan would allow even young children to engage with 3D design tools, enabling them to generate interactive content easily. He believes that achieving this goal is more realistic than the initial idea of letting users create 3D objects, which most gaming platforms tightly control.
Despite the competition from companies like Odyssey and World Labs, SpAItial is focused on creating high-quality, realistic 3D environments. The startup is not in a rush to scale rapidly but aims for steady, high-impact growth. By focusing on developing more interactive environments that function in a real-world manner, SpAItial aims to redefine how 3D design is done, opening new opportunities for industries like construction, robotics, and entertainment.
As SpAItial works to revolutionise the 3D generation space, it is positioning itself to challenge traditional methods of 3D design, such as CAD, and bring AI-driven interactive content to a wider audience. With the backing of investors and a clear focus on building foundational models, SpAItial’s ambitions could have a lasting impact on how digital environments are created, making the process more accessible and user-friendly.
