Startup – Big Stage $2.7MM raised for Avatar Software

Startup News – Los Angeles – Big Stage Entertainment, is the worlds leading developer of 3D facial creation technology, otherwise known as an Avatar, announced on Tuesday that it had secured an additional $2.7 million in second round funding, from Mission Ventures, Selby Ventures and TechCoast Angels.

Big Stage Entertainment is a So. Cal Startup, founded by Jonathan Strietzel, Jon Kraft and Jon Snoddy, that has raised a total of $10.6 million through their Angel and Series A rounds of financing.The company said its Series B round will remain open for an additional $3.3 million.

Big Stage allows a user to insert their avatar onto a fully animated, 3D avatar, this avatar can be used in video games, virtual worlds, mobile games, learning and training simulations and much more.

Some of Big Stage’s Clients include Lionsgate, Funcom, Sony BMG, GGL Global Gaming, Cannel Group and Intel Corporation.

The company will use the new funds to accelerate research and development, and sales and marketing efforts.

Startup News – Jonathan Strietzel on IEEE

Strietzel Featured on IEEE

Startup – Strietzel | Big Stage

Startup Mayhem – Strietzel‘s Big Stage Technology

“UM YEAH. THIS IS LIKE EVERYTHING THAT I’VE BEEN EXCITED ABOUT FOR A WHILE.” 

April 05, 2009

These are true words from an email I received earlier this week as authored by a well-respected digital marketing executive. What can I say… it resonated with me, not simply because of the boiled down truth, but because this same sentiment has been echoed in countless meetings since I joined this hot Startup founded by Jonathan Strietzel, Jon Kraft and Jon Snoddy – Big Stage nearly two years ago. Yes, reading this email made my day (thank you)! 

Why do people respond like this to Big Stage? Other than the undeniable wow factor of our 3D avatar technology, I believe it’s about an immediate connection to our unique vision. In brief, how cool is the idea of having a digital version of YOU that can be deployed on command across your digital life?

Well, this reality has already begun and the rest of our story involves taking a leap. Just think… How much fun would it be if you could play your favorite video game as YOU, competing against Tiger Woods, LeBron James, or even battling an army of super ninjas with the help of your buddies online. You could even go inside a virtual world as YOU, decked out in some crazy hair, Prada glasses, and the cool shirt that would absolutely freak out your mom… And just think about how much fun you could have by tasking your digital ‘self’ to represent you by way of your instant messenger, articulating to friends and family with life-like gestures as you type or [better yet] speak into your connected headset. It’s you, your way, online… as many ways as you want. Pretty wild!

Those of us who’ve been in the digital trenches since the mid-90s can well recall how personalization has evolved from custom emails to the use of collaborative filtering on websites to deliver merchandise and/or content experience based on your own likes/dislikes. These were considered game changers back in the day, and many of them were actually not about “you” but rather “them” trying to figure out a better way to sell you stuff. Fortunately for us, personalization has continued to evolve, largely to help us save time, gain access to better information, and generally make our lives a whole lot easier. But now, the age of personalized has gotten ‘photo-real’ thanks to the technology and early vision of Jonathan Strietzel, Jon Kraft, Jon Snoddy and the amazing team he built at Big Stage.

You are now free to roam across your digital life – as YOU.

Um yeah. This is what we’re most excited about, and it’s only the beginning. Stay tuned!

 

Posted By : Jonas Gray – aka Scoob