Layer, an AI application gateway built specifically for game developers, announced it has closed $6.5 million in seed funding led by Arcadia (Akin Babayigit’s new fund), and an investment vehicle connected to Riccardo Zacconi (co-founder of King), with participation from existing investors e2.vc (formerly 500 Emerging Europe).
Layer acts as the glue for game studios to deploy AI quickly and efficiently, with a professional suite of tools to build, manage and refine 2D, 3D and video assets while significantly reducing production time. And Layer helps scale content across production pipelines, making it easier to develop and maintain games of all types.
Launched by industry veterans from Unity and MIT, Layer has quickly become the leading AI-powered content creation platform for mobile studios worldwide. Since launch, over 200 studios, including leaders like Zynga, Tripledot, SciPlay, Huuuge Games, and Machine Zone, have integrated Layer into their production pipelines to accelerate asset creation while maintaining brand consistency. Created with game makers in mind from the start and enterprise-ready, Layer has already become the preferred partner to mobile developers.
The Layer team also includes experts in AI, gaming and art production, all focused on building the best tools for creative professionals so the company stands out with its ability to serve game creators. And Layer helps with everything from core game development assets to live service content, to marketing pipelines, and provides teams a grounded AI solution designed to solve real challenges, at scale, in their brand style.
With this funding round, Layer will continue to deliver industry-leading tools for mobile studios while expanding the team and building features to support a wide range of games. And as the games industry continues to evolve, Layer will be laser-focused on helping creators bridge the gap between AI innovation and game development.
KEY QUOTES;
“At a time that everyone was creating point solutions, we saw that the best path to effectively apply AI models to games in the most custom, flexible and long-term way, was to have a multi-modal, tool-agnostic platform. We are the only games-specific company delivering an enterprise ready solution, and the response from the industry has been near immediate. We have quickly become the preferred partner for mobile game companies, and with our seed investment, and the support of our incredible investors Akin and Riccardo, our team will enhance our platform and expand to the broader games industry.”
Volkan Gurel, Co-Founder and CEO, Layer
“Layer is the first solution I have seen to provide developers with the simplest way to bring AI into their production pipelines. I am impressed with the team Burcu and Volkan have built, as well as Layer’s technology and deployment speed. I am excited to join this talented team’s journey alongside fellow investor and mobile games vet, Akin Babayigit.”
King co-founder and investor Riccardo Zacconi
“The team at Layer fundamentally get games, and they have the right vision and momentum to create a new industry standard to transform how world-class studios are scaling game development and production with AI. I am excited to support Burcu and Volkan, who are executing with incredible efficiency, and to join Riccardo, who is a phenomenal entrepreneur himself.”
Tripledot co-founder and investor Akin Babayigit
