Artificial intelligence (AI), like voice assistants and photo recognition, has become a part of our everyday lives. The same goes for augmented reality (AR), which is used to produce social media filters and support photo editing. Boston-based Cupixel operates on the creative side of both AI and AR and it just raised new capital to build out its platform.
The art generator startup raised $5 million in seed funding. The round, announced on Wednesday, was led by JOANN, a well-known fabric and craft store.
“JOANN is committed to bringing our customers the best tools and assortment available and has been investing in the latest craft technology over recent years,” Rob Will, JOANN’s executive VP and chief merchandising officer, said in a statement. “We believe that Cupixel is at the cutting edge and is providing users of all skill levels with the unique and significant rewards that come from creating art.”
Backed by AR and AI, Cupixel takes images from its gallery or ones users upload to create outlines of the photo for drawings or paintings. Users can trace the outlines on the Cupixel app and create a work of art.
Cupixel CEO, Elad Katav, told Built In via email that the company has used its new capital to build a “high-end and really cool studio” in Boston to produce its new content. Additional funding went to rebuilding the app and releasing greeting cards and acrylic art sets that people can use with the app.
The company has also recently expanded its marketing, sales and content teams.
Cupixel joins JOANN’s growing portfolio of digital tech companies. The craft store empire has previously invested in 3D printing startup Glowforge and acquired digital textile printing startup WeaveUp.
“JOANN is one of the biggest arts and crafts companies in the country and they are a great partner for producing and selling the art sets we have collaborated with them to design and create,” Katav told Built In. “Their management strongly believes in investing in new, cutting-edge art technology, so this pairing really is fantastic.”
