TUM Spin-off Synthesia Attains Unicorn Status, Now Valued At Over $1 billion, Making Video Creation Effortless with AI

Matthias Niessner, TUM professor and co-founder of Synthesia. Astrid Eckert / TUM

(IN BRIEF) Synthesia, a software company founded by Prof. Matthias Niessner, has achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The start-up simplifies video content production through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) avatars, allowing users to create learning videos without specialized skills or equipment. Synthesia, headquartered in London, currently employs 200 people and serves renowned companies worldwide. The company places a strong emphasis on ethical AI use and the prevention of video manipulation. Prof. Niessner’s research focuses on visual computing and the development of AI tools to detect video manipulations. Synthesia’s success adds to the growing list of start-ups from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) that have reached unicorn status. TUM and UnternehmerTUM support entrepreneurship through various programs, including venture labs and an incubator, fostering a thriving tech ecosystem.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 12-Jul-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Synthesia, the groundbreaking software company co-founded by Prof. Matthias Niessner, has achieved unicorn status with a valuation surpassing $1 billion. Synthesia leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize video content production, enabling users to effortlessly create learning videos without specialized skills or equipment.

Founded in 2017 by Prof. Matthias Niessner, a visual computing professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with a researcher from University College London and two companies, Synthesia has gained significant recognition in the industry. The recent funding round secured an impressive $90 million, propelling the company into the prestigious unicorn club, which recognizes start-ups that exceed a $1 billion valuation without undergoing a stock market listing.

AI-Powered Video Production
Synthesia leverages AI to facilitate the creation of synthetic media, simplifying video production processes. Users can choose from a diverse range of adaptable video templates and access a collection of 140 AI avatars. These avatars convincingly mimic real actors, exhibiting lifelike facial expressions and voices. As a result, users can effortlessly produce high-quality learning videos without requiring specialized skills or video production equipment.

Ethics and Authenticity at the Forefront
Synthesia prioritizes ethical considerations and the prevention of deepfakes to safeguard against the manipulation of video content. Stringent measures are in place to scrutinize videos for misinformation, unintentional distortions, and the unauthorized representation of individuals.

Global Presence and Renowned Clients
Headquartered in London, Synthesia boasts a team of 200 talented professionals and maintains additional locations in Munich, Copenhagen, New York, and Amsterdam. The company serves a wide range of renowned clients from various industries, solidifying its reputation as a leading innovator in the video production realm.

TUM’s Thriving Research Endeavors
Prof. Matthias Niessner’s research primarily revolves around visual computing, wherein he constructs and analyzes 3D models of real environments using machine learning techniques. His ultimate aim is to create virtual worlds indistinguishable from reality. Prof. Niessner has also developed FaceForensics software, enhancing the detection of video manipulation in the online sphere.

The TUM Entrepreneurial Spirit
TUM has fostered an entrepreneurial ecosystem that has birthed numerous successful start-ups. Eleven unicorns, including Celonis, Lilium, and Personio, have emerged from TUM alumni and researchers. Celonis, valued at $10 billion, has even attained the rare status of a decacorn. TUM and UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Innovation and Business Creation, offer tailored programs spanning the entire business-building journey, from developing business models to management training and market entry. The TUM Venture Labs provide a research ecosystem for start-up teams operating in critical scientific domains, and the TUM Incubator supports up to 30 teams in preparing for company launches. UnternehmerTUM’s venture capital fund invests in promising tech companies, while MakerSpace provides an advanced 1,500 square meter high-tech prototype workshop.

About Synthesia
Synthesia is a trailblazing software company founded in 2017 that harnesses the power of AI to revolutionize video content production. By eliminating the need for specialized skills and equipment, Synthesia empowers users to create engaging learning videos effortlessly. The company’s commitment to ethics and authenticity sets the standard for responsible AI-driven video production.

Media contacts:

Prof. Matthias Nießner
Technical University of Munich
Professor for Visual Computing
niessner@tum.de

SOURCE: TUM