Google quietly acquires AI avatar startup Alter for $100M

To enhance its content offerings, tech giant Google has reportedly acquired US-based and Czech-headquartered artificial intelligence (AI) avatar startup Alter for approximately $100 million, someone familiar with the matter who asked to remain anonymous told TechCrunch.

The source claimed that the deal was completed nearly two months ago. However, neither Google nor the company hasn’t made a public statement regarding the acquisition yet.

Several top executives of the AI startup announced on their LinkedIn profiles that they have started working at Google, but didn’t disclose the purchase.

In a statement to TechCrunch, A Google representative confirmed the acquisition, without providing any financial details.

Founded in March 2017 by Robin Raszka and Jon Slimak, Alter began its journey as ‘’Facemoji’’, which provided a plug-and-play system to app & makers enabling them to offer avatars within their products. 

In October last year, the startup raised $3 million in seed funding led by Play Ventures and saw participation from Twitter, Roosh Ventures, Abe Burns and many others.