Los Angeles based Big Stage Entertainment, Inc. has recently received an additional $2.7m in series B funding from their original investors, Mission Ventures, Selby Ventures and TechCoast Angels. This round of funding brings Big Stage Entertainment’s total raised to a healthy chunk of change at $10.6 milion. Presumably, Big State will use this new injection of funding to further advance and accelerate their research and development and sales and marketing for its 3d photorealistic facial avatar modeling technology. Outside investors still have a shot at getting in on the action, with and additional $3.3 million still remaining in series B funding, open until June 8th.
As reported back in December, Big Stage uses a 3D facial modeling system that renders 3D versions of a person from 3 digital photos taken from different angles. Now known as @ctors, the entire setup and processing method should take users less than two minutes, making creation easy for even the non-technical. Third parties can integrate Big Stage Entertainment’s proprietary PortableYou 3-D facial modeling system seamlessly into video games, virtual worlds, Web sites, mobile apps, kiosk-based systems and more. The BackStage white label product offers a turnkey solution to partners who want to leverage the same 3-D face modeling technology as part of high impact participatory experiences under their own brands, with the added benefit of easy-to-use social sharing tools to maximize viral effect.
The company grew out of an advanced stereo reconstruction technology R&D project at USC funded by the CIA and other government grants. Big Stage Entertainment’s initial round of funding raised $7.9 million from investors Mission Ventures, Selby Ventures and Tech Coast Angels.
“Big Stage Entertainment offers the most realistic 3D facial avatar-creation technology that’s accessible to consumers today. Our service is built on a hub strategy to provide consumers a single online location for the projection of self into digital life,” said Phil Ressler, Big Stage Entertainment CEO. “With this investment, we will continue to push the limits of participatory media to meet the evolving needs of brands and content owners who recognize the immense potential of enabling audiences to star in media experiences created by themselves or others.”
“Big Stage Entertainment brings the deeply personal phenomenon of projection of self to mainstream consumers, breaking new ground in interactive entertainment,” said Robert Kibble, managing partner, Mission Ventures. “Mission Ventures led this Series B investment out of recognition of the huge long-term opportunity in helping Big Stage Entertainment realize its full potential.”
This new influx of cash should keep Big Stage right on track, and delivering top-notch products to current and future clients. At the present time, Big Stage counts some high level clients amongst their roster including Sony BMG, Lionsgate, Funcom, Intel, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, GGL Global Gaming, The Venue Network, Icarus Studios, Virtual Space Entertainment and Splash News.
