The London-based smart toy startup MakieLab today announced the open alpha launch of MAKIES, the first ever user-designed, 3D-printed action doll (Update – February 2023: The startup seems to be no longer in business under this website and we therefore deactivated the link). On makie.me, customers are able to design and share digital avatars, which are then brought to life via 3D printshops across London. MakieLab, which was founded in 2011, most targets pre-teens, and young teenagers, with its MAKIES.
Together with the launch, MakieLab also announced a seed round investment of $1.4 million. The round was led by early-stage investors Lifeline Ventures and Sunstone Capital, and also joined by some Anime and gaming industry veterans and Cedric Littardi of super angel fund Ynnis Ventures.
Alice Taylor, founder and CEO of MakieLab, stated: “We’ve seen amazing levels of creativity from our customers since letting the first few in during open alpha just a few weeks ago. We’re now hard at work to enable further customization of MAKIES, more creativity, and to expand to include digital and physical gaming.”
Check out the video below to find out more about MakieLab and the 3D-printed MAKIES:
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