London-based Synthesia transforms business training videos with AI avatars, attracting top investors and major corporate clients
London-based AI video startup Synthesia has just taken a major leap forward, closing a $200 million funding round that nearly doubles its valuation to $4 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Leading the round is GV, the venture capital firm backed by Alphabet, signaling strong confidence in Synthesia’s innovative approach.
The company, founded in 2017, previously raised $180 million at a $2.1 billion valuation in January. In April, Synthesia announced it had surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue, marking a milestone in its rapid growth.
Synthesia specializes in converting dry training manuals into engaging videos using AI avatars. Major corporations like DuPont, Xerox, and Spirit Airlines rely on these avatars to deliver safety briefings and other training content in more than 100 languages, making complex information more accessible and engaging.
The AI video space is crowded, with established players like Adobe expanding their AI features and new entrants like HeyGen reaching impressive revenue marks. Synthesia even attracted interest from Adobe itself, which reportedly explored a $3 billion acquisition, though negotiations faltered over pricing disagreements.
CEO Victor Riparbelli, a 30 Under 30 alum, emphasizes that Synthesia is laser-focused on business video content. “We don’t care about AI video as in ‘here’s a thing that can make absolutely anything,’” Riparbelli told Forbes. “We only care about humans and videos and presenters for business content.”
Looking ahead, Synthesia plans to expand into marketing and advertising content, allowing its avatars to appear in promotional videos. Some TikTok creators have already started leveraging the platform to produce engaging content, hinting at the company’s potential beyond corporate training.
With its combination of cutting-edge AI technology, high-profile clients, and strategic funding, Synthesia is positioning itself as a leader in AI-powered business videos. Its growth trajectory suggests the startup could continue reshaping how companies communicate internally and externally.
Conclusion: Synthesia’s journey shows how AI can turn everyday business communications into engaging, accessible video content. Follow the latest updates on AI video innovation and share your thoughts on how AI avatars might transform the workplace.
