Gendo, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform used by architects to turn text prompts and sketches into realistic visualisations, has raised £855,000 in a pre-seed funding round.
The investment was led by Concept Ventures and joined by Ascension Ventures, Carles Reina’s Baobab Ventures, and dozens of angel investors, including the former global head of design studios at WeWork.
Founded by architectural designer George Proud and software engineer Will Jones, Gendo uses generative AI and machine learning to quickly turn 2D drawings, sketches, or text prompts into what it describes as intricate and realistic visualisations.
These visualisations can be edited, with options to mask sections and adjust details like colours, lighting, and structural features.
Visualisations are considered crucial in architecture as they help win bids and move projects through various phases, but they can also be time-consuming and costly to create.
Gendo will use the pre-seed investment to expand its AI tools, launch new features for architects and designers, and scale the London-based team.
Proud, the startup’s CEO, says that while mainstream generative image platforms can be “really impressive…they simply aren’t fit for purpose when it comes to a sector like architecture and design.”
“We’re eliminating the burdensome processes currently involved in visualisations and instead making it an efficient, instinctive and empowering experience. Gone is the era of waiting days to receive one small image of a tree to add to your design,” Proud explained.
“We’re thrilled with how well the platform has been received amongst leading architecture firms during our beta and we’re looking forward to partnering with industry further to enhance the value of Gendo’s tools.”
Gendo’s initial beta phase was used by a range of global architecture practices, including Zaha Hadid Architects, KPF, David Chipperfield Architects, and Benoy.
After a successful investment round, the platform is now live in early access mode.