SpAItial Secures $13M to Build the Future of 3D Worlds
AI foundation models are transforming image generation, but creating full 3D environments from text prompts remains a challenge. SpAItial, a new European startup, aims to change that. Founded by leading AI 3D model researcher Matthias Niessner, formerly of Synthesia and the Technical University of Munich, SpAItial has raised a substantial $13 million seed round.
The funding, led by Earlybird Venture Capital with participation from Speedinvest and prominent angel investors, will fuel SpAItial's ambitious goal: building foundation models that generate realistic and interactive 3D worlds from simple text prompts.
A Team of 3D Experts
Niessner has assembled a formidable team. This includes Ricardo Martin-Brualla, formerly of Google's Beam project, and David Novotny, who led Meta's text-to-3D asset generation project. The team's expertise positions SpAItial to compete in the burgeoning text-to-3D landscape, alongside companies like Odyssey and World Labs.
While a teaser video hints at SpAItial's capabilities, the company's vision extends beyond static 3D models. Niessner emphasizes creating interactive worlds where users can manipulate objects and experience realistic physics.
I don’t just want to have a 3D world. I also want this world to behave like the real world. I want it to be interactable and [let you] do stuff in it, and nobody has really cracked that yet.
Targeting Diverse Applications
While the potential applications of this technology are vast, ranging from gaming and entertainment to construction and robotics training, SpAItial's initial focus is on partnering with developers to explore specific use cases and refine its API.
The company prioritizes revenue generation and plans to hire strategically, focusing on quality over quantity. Niessner envisions a future where even a child could create a video game in minutes using SpAItial's technology.
This "holy grail" of 3D generation is more attainable, Niessner believes, than simply creating individual 3D objects. While platforms like Roblox are exploring AI-powered 3D creation, SpAItial's focus on interactive environments could revolutionize fields beyond gaming, potentially even impacting CAD design. The next chapter in 3D generation is just beginning.