$19 million shot in the arm: Will Viggle AI lead the AI animation revolution?

Viggle AI, a rapidly emerging Canadian startup specializing in AI-powered animation, has secured $19 million USD in Series A funding, a significant milestone in its journey to revolutionize the animation industry. The funding round was led by the renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, widely recognized for backing transformative technology companies. Joining the round is the investor Two Small Fish, adding further weight to the company’s ambitions.

This substantial investment will enable Viggle AI to expand its global reach, accelerate product development, and grow its team to meet the escalating demand for user-friendly AI tools in the creative space. Viggle AI, founded in 2022 by Hang Chu, has quickly become a leader in the AI animation sector. The startup’s core technology, JST-1, stands out as the first video-3D foundation model with an intrinsic understanding of physics, making it possible to create lifelike character movements and realistic animations from simple text-to-video or image-to-video prompts.

Fueling Growth Amid Explosive Demand

The injection of $19 million USD comes at a time when Viggle AI is experiencing unprecedented growth. The company’s unique ability to simplify the animation process has resonated with a wide audience, from professional animators and major production studios to content creators and casual hobbyists. Viggle AI’s intuitive interface and powerful AI capabilities have been key drivers behind its rapid adoption. Earlier this year, Viggle AI gained widespread attention when videos using its technology went viral, such as the internet sensation of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker persona replacing rapper Lil Yachty’s walkout at the Summer Smash Festival. This viral fame has solidified Viggle AI’s position as a major player in the AI-driven animation industry.

The funding from Andreessen Horowitz and Two Small Fish will be instrumental in Viggle AI’s next phase of growth. With this capital, Viggle AI plans to continue scaling its operations, further developing its proprietary technology, and expanding its reach to new markets. Viggle AI’s community, which has already grown to over four million members on Discord, will benefit from these enhancements as the company introduces new features and capabilities.

Empowering Creators with Viggle Creator Program

In addition to its core offerings, Viggle AI has launched the Viggle Creator Program, an initiative designed to empower artists and creators with exclusive benefits. This program includes a Viggle Pro subscription, providing members with an additional 1,000 credits—equivalent to 250 minutes of video creation—early access to new features, and the opportunity to connect with fellow creators through an exclusive community channel. The Viggle Creator Program is a key component of Viggle AI’s strategy to support both up-and-coming talent and established professionals, enabling them to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI-powered animation.

The significance of this funding round is not lost on Viggle AI’s leadership. “We are excited to welcome Andreessen Horowitz and Two Small Fish as partners in our next phase of growth,” said Hang Chu, CEO and co-founder of Viggle AI. “Their investment is a strong validation of our vision to redefine the possibilities in AI-driven character animation. As more people seek to integrate AI into their creative processes, Viggle AI is well-positioned to meet this demand by offering a seamless and powerful platform that aligns with the needs of modern creators.”

A Game-Changer in the Animation Industry

Viggle AI’s technology is not only a tool for creating animations but a game-changer in the animation industry. For professional animators, game designers, and VFX artists, Viggle AI is streamlining the ideation and pre-production processes, allowing them to focus more on their creative vision and less on the technical complexities. This reduction in production timelines is a significant advantage in an industry where time is often of the essence. For content creators and everyday users, Viggle AI offers the ability to generate high-quality animations quickly and easily, democratizing the animation process and making it accessible to a broader audience.

The enthusiasm for Viggle AI’s potential is shared by its investors. Justine Moore, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, expressed her confidence in the company’s future, stating, “Viggle AI is driving a major shift in how content creators approach animation, ensuring character and scene consistency with unprecedented ease. We’ve been impressed with Viggle’s early momentum and the user base it’s already achieved. We are eager to see where their continued innovation will take us.”

Allen Lau, Operating Partner at Two Small Fish and co-founder of Wattpad, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the disruptive potential of Viggle AI. “Viggle represents the future of content creation and has the potential to upend the entertainment industry much like Wattpad did. I’m thrilled to contribute my experience in building a global entertainment platform to help guide Viggle AI as it continues to innovate in the age of Generative AI.”

Viggle AI was co-founded by Hang Chu, whose extensive experience in the tech and entertainment sectors has been pivotal to the company’s early success. Before founding Viggle AI, Chu held key positions at industry giants such as AutoDesk, Facebook, and NVIDIA, where he honed his skills in leveraging technology for creative content production. Under Chu’s leadership, Viggle AI has emerged as a pioneering force in AI-powered animation, reshaping the landscape of content creation with its innovative JST-1 technology.

Viggle AI, headquartered in Canada, is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into the animation industry. The company’s mission is to empower users of all skill levels to create high-quality animated content effortlessly. With its groundbreaking technology, Viggle AI is poised to revolutionize the way animations are created, making the process more accessible and intuitive for everyone.