AI-based Virtual Character Platform Vivident Secures $2 Million in Seed Funding

The AI-based character intellectual property (IP) startup Vivident announced on the 22nd that it has secured $1.5 million (approximately 2 billion KRW) in seed funding.

This seed round included participation from domestic investors such as Hashed, Mashup Ventures, The Ventures, and Modehouse, as well as prominent funds from the U.S., Japan, and Hong Kong, including Sfermion, Z Venture Capital, Decima Fund, and Titan Fund.

Vivident is a startup composed of professionals from the gaming and entertainment industries, preparing the 'MoeLive' service, which supports the creation of animation-style character IPs using generative AI technology and enables communities to interact with them. It aims to offer a new form of entertainment experience by combining Japanese animation with Korean K-POP culture.

MoeLive plans to launch a beta service in the first half of this year, integrating various AI technologies to create characters that act as independent personas, allowing fan communities to directly participate in their growth process.

The virtual character industry, represented by virtual YouTubers and virtual idols, has been limited to a 'semi-virtual' form where real people operate behind the characters, posing challenges to introducing new business models. Vivident aims to overcome these limitations by implementing fully virtual characters using AI technology. Beyond simple chat functions, they plan to implement real-time live streaming and multi-user participation systems to create a new AI celebrity business model.

Jonathan Chung, a partner at Titan Fund, said, "The Vivident team has been creating consumer products using various cutting-edge technologies. What makes MoeLive special is not just the innovative application of AI technology but also its deep understanding of fan culture. MoeLive is pioneering a new form of entertainment where communities gather to grow and develop with their favorite characters."

Kyu-dae Kim, CEO of Vivident, explained, "MoeLive aims to create a new form of IP where technology, content, and community come together amidst the significant changes brought by AI. Our goal is not just to create AI characters but to develop a new form of character IP that grows and evolves with fans."

Vivident announced that it will focus on developing its first service, MoeLive, based on this seed funding. MoeLive is scheduled to undergo beta testing in the first half of the year and launch simultaneously in Korea, Japan, and the United States within the year.

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