Genies, Inc.
American avatar technology company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]. Whether it's an AI Agent, Companion, customer service, NPC etc. Genies brings AI personas to life as interactive visual beings.
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Akash Nigam |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Number of employees | 90 (2021) |
| Website | genies |
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]
Soon after this, the company announced collaborations with the NBPA[8], WEBTOON[9] and Sanrio[10]. All are focused on Genies mission of providing a visual layer for AI adoption.
Genies consumer products [11]are headlined by Chat, a consumer product where anyone can talk with interactive 3D AI characters spanning categories like Stories & Fantasy, Celebs & Experts, and Life & Relationships. Each character features a unique personality, backstory, and 3D avatar.
History
Nigam founded a company called Blend, which made a mobile app for college students that gifted items in exchange for sharing photos.[12] The company received an acquisition offer but declined. Shortly after, the pair began using much of Blend's proprietary technology to build Genies.[13][14] The company also with talent agencies to create digital versions of its clients.[15]
In March 2022, then-former Disney CEO Bob Iger joined the board of the company.[16]
In 2023, Genies created a software development kit aimed at developers, IP and gamers.[17]
Genies have been adopted by celebrities such as Justin Bieber,[18] Russell Westbrook,[19] and Shawn Mendes.[20]
In 2024, Genies unveiled its Avatar Framework, which supports customizable avatars, fashion, and props.[21] 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[22]
Funding
The company has raised $250 million in funding from Silicon Valley venture capitalists such as Silver Lake[23] Breyer Capital,[24] Bond Capital,[25] and Bob Iger.[26] Genies has also received funding from other sources, such as entrepreneurs, talent agencies, and Fortune 500 companies.[27][28] Genies currently employs over 100 people and the company is valued at over $1 billion.[29][30] 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.[31]