Spline, a no-code design tool that enables users to create 3D assets, has announced a successful seed funding round, raising $15 million.
Gradient Ventures led the investment, with participation from First Round Capital, NXTP, Chapter One, Guillermo Rauch (Vercel CEO), Y Combinator, Vlad Magdalin (Webflow CEO), and Backend Capital.
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Alejandro Leon, the co-founder and CEO of Spline, explained that the newly acquired funds, bringing the company’s total raised capital to $16 million, will be allocated towards research and development initiatives.
Additionally, Spline plans to expand its current team of 20 professionals. Leon shared his excitement about the evolution of the 3D industry, stating,
“Back in early 2020, before launching Spline, our talks with investors about investing in 3D were met with reactions of uncertainty. A lot has changed since then, and we also progressed a lot. 3D has now become a default content format, alongside images, audio, and video.”
Having nurtured a passion for 3D since childhood, Leon launched Spline in 2020 with the aim of simplifying and streamlining the 3D design process.
The platform was accepted into Y Combinator’s 2021 program and entered beta testing in March of that year. Spline allows users to create, edit, and animate 3D objects and materials, incorporating interactivity such as game controls.
The platform’s collaboration features allow for real-time physics simulations and interactions, enabling users to fine-tune and provide feedback on assets. Designs can be exported as image files, GIFs, or embedded in web pages using a few lines of code.
Leon highlighted the advancements in web technologies and the expansion of AI into the 3D realm, stating,
“Web technologies are now capable of achieving higher levels of quality. AI is also expanding into 3D, and now we have new upcoming tech that builds on a 3D and spatial foundation.”
Spline has recently integrated AI-style transfer and AI texture tools into its suite and is exploring the potential of using large language models for content creation.
Leon believes that AI can reduce the complexity of 3D creation, making it more accessible to designers. He acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead but expressed confidence that AI will play a significant role in achieving this goal.
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With over 1 million creators already using Spline, the platform has garnered substantial praise. Darian Shirazi, a general partner at Gradient Ventures, expressed admiration for Spline’s product and its growing community of creators.
Shirazi emphasized the significance of 3D in shaping the future of computing and communication, positioning Spline as a key player at the intersection of creativity and AI.
