Soul Machines raises $40m, steps closer to global aspirations

Soul Machines has raised US$40 million in its latest investment fundings and states the funds will be used to advance the way humans and machines collaborate.

Soul Machines is an AGI Research company developing an autonomous animation platform to help humanise brands and the ways people engage with them.

The series B financing was led by Temasek from Singapore, with participation from Lakestar, an European Venture Fund, and Salesforce Ventures, along with further investment from existing investors Horizons Ventures, University of Auckland Inventors Fund and others from their earlier rounds.

With the funds, Soul Machines plans to continue expanding globally with specific focus on R-D and increasing its operating footprint around the world to meet growing demand, the company states.

Soul Machines was founded by Academy Award winner Mark Sagar and serial entrepreneur Greg Cross in 2016 when it was spun out of the University of Auckland.

Together Sagar and Cross are fusing AI, computational brain models and experiential learning explore new areas of customer experience.

With Soul Machines' technology, their clients' Digital Heroes are able to democratise personal experience in a way that has not been previously possible, the company states.

Soul Machines cofounder and chief business officer Greg Cross says, "We have enjoyed getting to know and work with the teams at Temasek, Lakestar and Salesforce Ventures and believe they are the perfect partners to help as we continue to expand and grow our business, technology and client base globally."

"We are very grateful for the continued support from Horizons Ventures who are highly valued partners that understand how great technology businesses are built," says Cross.

Soul Machines has deployed its HumanOS platform and created Digital Heroes for global brands in retail, automotive, banking and finance with customers including Procter - Gamble, Bank ABC, The Royal Bank of Scotland and more. Key initiatives in the education and healthcare fields are underway as well with Soul Machines.

The Soul Machines' technology creates a new kind of customer experience and overall engagement, the company states. Brands now have the opportunity to create a digital version of their ambassadors or an entirely digitally employee, like a service agent, to interact with their fans and customers.

Salesforce Ventures head of Australia Rob Keith says, "We're proud to announce Salesforce Ventures' investment in Soul Machines because it has an obsessive focus on improving customer experience by using artificial intelligence technology in new ways.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Soul Machines as it scales and realises its global aspirations.