SpAItial, a Munich and London-based 3D AI foundation model startup, says 3D AI models are "where ChatGPT for language was five years ago". The company, which raised $13 million in seed funding last year, has built its first 3D AI model and is seeking commercial licensing partners. CEO and co-founder Matthias Niessner, who took leave from leading the visual computing and AI lab at the Technical University of Munich, says the company plans to raise additional funding this year. However, he emphasised they won't pursue billions immediately, preferring a "step by step" approach. SpAItial's models create 3D worlds from text and image inputs, with potential applications spanning video games, robotics, construction and housing industries. Niessner attributes continued investor interest to AI's massive opportunity and the ability to build with small teams using AI coding agents.

AI startup SpAItial has emerged from stealth mode with a $13 million seed round led by Earlybird Venture Capital, joined by Speedinvest and several high-profile angels.