Backflip Inc., a startup streamlining the creation of 3D models with artificial intelligence, has raised $30 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by NEA and Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from prominent angel investors, including Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott, Android founder Rich Miner, and Ashish Vaswani, co-inventor of the Transformer neural network architecture.
The funding follows an earlier seed round of undisclosed size and positions Backflip as a key innovator in the 3D modeling industry.
Pioneering AI Solutions for 3D Modeling
Founded in 2022 by David Benhaim and Greg Mark, who previously launched the 3D printing company Markforged Inc., Backflip aims to address one of the most time-intensive aspects of 3D printing: the creation of detailed blueprints.
Before manufacturing an object using a 3D printer, engineers must design a 3D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software. For complex objects like engine components, this process can take days due to the manual work involved in filling the “point cloud” framework—the collection of points that forms an object’s outline—with geometric shapes.
Backflip’s AI platform eliminates much of this manual effort. Using the platform, users can generate 3D models within minutes by providing text descriptions, sketches, or photos.
Cutting-Edge Technology for Smarter Modeling
At the core of Backflip’s innovation is a proprietary AI system specifically designed for 3D modeling. This system incorporates a unique neural representation that “teaches AI to think in 3D.” The result is a platform that delivers models with higher spatial resolution than traditional methods, while operating more efficiently.
According to co-founder David Benhaim, the technology is:
- 60x more efficient in training
- 10x faster in inference
- 100x higher in spatial resolution than existing state-of-the-art methods.
Backflip’s AI system was trained on a dataset of approximately 10 million 3D part blueprints, including synthetic data generated by neural networks for enhanced training precision.
Faster and More Accurate 3D Models
By automating the 3D modeling process, Backflip reduces design time from days to minutes. Its blueprints are compatible with 3D printers that use materials such as metal, carbon fiber, and plastic. Additionally, the platform’s use of constructive solid geometry minimizes risks like structural gaps, ensuring high-quality, manufacturable models.
Revolutionizing 3D Printing
Backflip’s innovative approach has the potential to transform industries that rely on 3D printing, from automotive to aerospace and consumer goods. The company’s AI-driven efficiency and precision enable engineers to focus on innovation rather than repetitive manual tasks.
With its latest funding, Backflip is poised to advance its technology further and expand its market presence, solidifying its position as a leader in AI-powered 3D modeling solutions.
