Genies, Inc.

Genies
Company typePrivate
Founded2017 (2017)
FounderAkash Nigam
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Number of employees
90 (2021)
Websitegenies.com

Genies is an American AI avatar and companion company founded by Akash Nigam.[1][2] Genies' consumer apps and tools allow users to create fully personalized AI avatars to be used in apps and games. Genies offers a software development kit (SDK) enabling developers, brands and talent to create a branded avatar experience and online marketplaces.[3][4]

Early in 2026, the company announced its first two public IP partners. The MLB's PA, MLB Players Inc.[5] to turn all players into AI Characters and King Records[6]. In 2025, Genies partnered with Unity to bring AI avatars and UGC tools to developers.[7]

History

Nigam founded a company called Blend, which made a mobile app for college students that gifted items in exchange for sharing photos.[8] The company received an acquisition offer but declined. Shortly after, the pair began using much of Blend's proprietary technology to build Genies.[9][10] The company also with talent agencies to create digital versions of its clients.[11]

In March 2022, then-former Disney CEO Bob Iger joined the board of the company.[12]

In 2023, Genies created a software development kit aimed at gamers.[13]

Genies have been adopted by celebrities such as Justin Bieber,[14] Russell Westbrook,[15] and Shawn Mendes.[16]

In 2024, Genies unveiled its Avatar Framework, which supports customizable avatars, fashion, and props.[17] In 2025, Genies partnered with Unity to bring AI avatars and UGC tools to developers.[7] Later that year Genies Launches Avatar Creation Tools for Celebrities and Talent Agencies[18]

Funding

The company has raised $250 million in funding from Silicon Valley venture capitalists such as Silver Lake[19] Breyer Capital,[20] Bond Capital,[21] and Bob Iger.[22] Genies has also received funding from other sources, such as entrepreneurs, talent agencies, and Fortune 500 companies.[23][24] Genies currently employs over 100 people and the company is valued at over $1 billion.[25][26] In November 2020, Japanese multinational video game developer and publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment announced a $3 million investment in Genies including an expansion in Asia.[27]

References

  1. ^ "Genies CEO on AI in gaming: Characters are going to represent the new UI and UX of the internet". CNBC. July 18, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Constine, Josh (January 8, 2017). "Meet 'Genies,' the lifelike personalized avatars that reenact news". TechCrunch.
  3. ^ Maas, Jennifer (November 4, 2025). "Bob Iger-Backed AI Companion Company Genies Launches Avatar Creation Tools for Celebrities, Talent Agencies". Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  4. ^ Liffreing, Ilyse (October 20, 2020). "Gucci and Giphy add avatars to their apps as potential digital revenue drivers".
  5. ^ "MLB players strike deal to be turned into AI characters that can chat with fans". AP News. February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  6. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (February 24, 2026). "'Hypnosis Mic' Characters to Get AI Companion Treatment as Genies Partners With King Records (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Genies: AI Avatars and UGC Tools". Unity. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Grant, Rebecca (October 30, 2013). "Woohoo college! Blend's mobile app gives students free stuff for sharing photos". Venture Beat.
  9. ^ Kwan, Emma (March 20, 2019). "Mountain View High grads launch popular Genies avatar app". Los Altos Online.
  10. ^ Fields, Taylor (March 20, 2020). "Celebrities Helping to Raise Funds to Fight COVID-19 via Digital Avatars". iHeart Radio.
  11. ^ Gardner, Chris (May 10, 2019). "Now Celebrity Avatars Can Hire Their Own Agents=The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ Needleman, Sarah (March 14, 2022). "After Walt Disney, Robert Iger Heads to the Metaverse". Wall Street Journal.
  13. ^ Forristal, Lauren (June 22, 2023). "Avatar startup Genies launches $1M fund for developers building AR experiences". TechCrunch. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (April 30, 2021). "WMG Partners With Genies to Turn Artists Into Avatars & Sell NFT Gear". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Alexander, Sophie (November 19, 2018). "Genies Uses Famous Athletes, and Their Money, to Take On Bitmoji". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Holt, Kris (December 13, 2021). "Rihanna, Migos and more are getting official metaverse avatars". Engadget. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Genies launches Parties for brands and creators to launch their own 'AI Roblox'". Venture Beat.
  18. ^ Maas, Jennifer (November 4, 2025). "Bob Iger-Backed AI Companion Company Genies Launches Avatar Creation Tools for Celebrities, Talent Agencies". Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  19. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross; Karaian, Jason; Giang, Vivian; Gandel, Stephen; Hirsch, Lauren; Livni, Ephrat (April 12, 2022). "More Companies Take a Stand on Abortion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  20. ^ Matney, Lucas (May 3, 2021). "Avatar startup Genies scores $65 million in funding round led by Mary Meeker's Bond". TechCrunch. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  21. ^ Savitz, Eric (April 15, 2022). "How Tech-Trend Guru Mary Meeker Sees the World Now". Barron's. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Hayes, Dade (March 14, 2022). "Bob Iger Makes Post-Disney Foray, Investing In Metaverse Firm Genies And Joining Avatar Maker's Board". Deadline. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  23. ^ Carson, Biz (June 11, 2019). "Billionaires Jim Breyer and Thomas Tull Lead $15 Million Bet That Genies' Avatars Will Be Next Big Thing In Social". Forbes.
  24. ^ Chang, Juile (November 5, 2019). "Venice-based tech company creates app that allows users to create Pixar-quality avatars". Fox LA.
  25. ^ Takahashi, Dean (April 12, 2022). "Genies raises $150M at over $1B valuation for metaverse avatars". VentureBeat. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  26. ^ Livni, Ephrat; Hirsch, Lauren (April 12, 2022). "Private equity jumps into the metaverse with an investment in a $1 billion avatar company". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Takahashi, Dean (November 20, 2020). "Genies raises $3 million from Bandai Namco for Asia expansion". VentureBeat.
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