Soul Machines builds AI-driven digital humans: real-time animated avatars with lifelike facial expression and conversational behaviour, used for customer service, training and brand experiences. Spun out of the University of Auckland's Bioengineering Institute in 2016, it developed Digital Brain and Autonomous Animation technology. After sustained losses the New Zealand company entered receivership in February 2026, and in September 2026 AppDirect acquired the business, which now operates as a standalone unit within AppDirect with its avatars integrated into the Devs.ai platform.
Soul Machines has been acquired
This company is no longer available on our private secondary market.
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2016
Employees
11–50
Total Funding
$137.5M
5 rounds
AppDirect acquired Soul Machines; financial terms not disclosed, to integrate its AI avatars into AppDirect's platform
Change of control; existing private-share liquidity now depends on deal terms
Receivers appointed 5 Feb 2026: KPMG's Leon Bowker and Luke Norman took control of all assets under Bartok International's 2024 convertible-note security.
Insolvency event; secured noteholders rank ahead of shareholders and equity is likely impaired.
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Total raised $137.5M across 5 rounds
Last updated 10-12-2026
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2024 | Convertible note | Not disclosed | — | Bartok International |
| Feb 14, 2022 | Series B1 Press release | $70M | — | SoftBank Vision Fund 2 |
| Jan 9, 2020 | Series B VentureBeat | $40M | — | Temasek |
Chris Herd
General Manager
Julie Kim
CEO (pre-receivership)
Mark Sagar
Co-Founder, Chief Science Advisor (departed)
Greg Cross
Co-Founder, CEO (departed)
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
UneeQ
CGI-based real-time interactive digital human platform, co-creator of digital human technology with original Soul Machines collaboration
Synthesia
AI video generation platform trusted by 90% of the Fortune 100, specializing in text-to-video with digital human avatars
D-ID
Generative AI and synthesized media platform with Creative Reality Studio for text/image/audio to video with digital humans
HeyGen
AI video generation platform with digital human avatars for business communication
Mursion
CGI-based interactive digital human platform for enterprise training and customer service
Virti
CGI-based interactive digital human platform for immersive training and communication
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