Greycroft Invests $10M in AI Animation Startup Cheehoo

Cheehoo, an innovative AI animation startup, has successfully raised $10 million in funding, led by Greycroft. This funding round also saw participation from prominent investors such as Point72 Ventures, Basis Set, Headline Asia, Powerhouse Capital, Playground Productions, and Rideback. The Los Angeles-based company aims to revolutionize the animation industry by integrating advanced AI tools into the creative process.

Cheehoo’s Vision for AI-Powered Animation

Cheehoo, founded by a team of Hollywood executives and technologists, is on a mission to simplify and enhance animation workflows. The startup was incubated at Rideback, the production company behind hits like ‘The LEGO Movie.’ Co-CEOs Michael LoFaso and Jonathan Eirich, along with Rideback co-founder Dan Lin, former DreamWorks Animation President Chris deFaria, and ex-Apple AI researchers Hubert Tsai and Wei-Cheng Kuo, form the powerhouse team behind Cheehoo.

In a statement, LoFaso explained, “The animation process has become increasingly complex and expensive. Our goal is to provide creators with tools that streamline their workflows while maintaining creative control.”

How Cheehoo is Transforming Animation

Cheehoo’s platform integrates seamlessly with industry-standard tools like Maya and Unreal Engine, enabling creators to prototype and iterate rapidly. The startup’s proprietary AI models assist with tasks such as character creation, motion stylization, and scene composition. Additionally, users can incorporate third-party AI models for added flexibility.

Brentt Baltimore, Principal at Greycroft, highlighted the significance of this innovation, saying, “Cheehoo has the potential to democratize animation production, making it accessible to independent filmmakers and smaller studios without compromising on quality.”

A Focus on Creative Control

Unlike many AI tools, Cheehoo emphasizes giving creators full control over their projects. The platform allows users to toggle AI features on or off, ensuring that artistic vision remains at the forefront. This approach addresses a long-standing challenge in the animation industry: balancing efficiency with creative freedom.

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Future Plans for Cheehoo

While Cheehoo is currently focused on professional studios and IP holders, the company plans to expand its offerings to consumer-focused products in the near future. This move could position Cheehoo as a leader in the growing AI animation market, which is projected to reach $17.7 billion by 2032.

Cheehoo’s Impact on the Animation Industry

With its innovative approach and strong backing, Cheehoo is poised to redefine the animation landscape. By reducing production costs and streamlining workflows, the startup is empowering creators to bring their visions to life more efficiently than ever before.