Ikonz Studios, an AI-powered digital avatars and holographic company, has raised $5 million in strategic funding as part of its ongoing pre-Series A round from Marc Jordan, of Blue Amber Investments, and State of the Art Entertainment.
Ramana Thummu, CTO of Expedia and former CTO of Fanatics Commerce; Marc Jordan, Madhusudan Kela, renowned investor; and Akash Bhanshali, Principal Owner of the Enam Group have also joined this funding round as strategic investors. All four investors have come on board through their family office.
The funds raised will be used to expand its intellectual property (IP) portfolio in both India and global markets while scaling its technical and execution teams. A major portion of the funding will be directed toward acquiring and developing high-value digital IPs, strengthening Ikonz’s leadership in AI-powered interactive content.
Additionally, the company is set to triple its workforce from 34 to nearly 100 employees, with approximately 80% of the team based in India and 20% in the U.S. This strategic hiring will include both technical and non-technical roles to support Ikonz’s aggressive growth plans.
Abinav Varma Kalidindi, Founder and CEO of Ikonz Studios, shared his vision for the company’s next chapter, “This investment is a testament to the transformative potential of Ikonz Studios in redefining AI-driven experiences. With the support of industry visionaries like Ramana, Marc, Mr Kela, and Mr. Bhanshali, we are poised to scale our impact globally—expanding our IP, strengthening our technology, and enhancing the way people interact with AI. Our goal is not just to lead in AI innovation but to revolutionize storytelling, brand engagement, and digital interactions at a scale never seen before.”
Marc Jordan, President of Blue Amber Investments, said, “I have always believed in the power of technology to elevate cultural storytelling. Ikonz Studios is at the forefront of this transformation by turning iconic personalities into interactive digital experiences through AI. I am thrilled to join this visionary team and leverage my experience to help bridge diverse cultures with cutting-edge tech on a global stage.”
Ramana Thummu, CTO at Expedia Group, said, “I’ve had the pleasure of advising Abinav and the IKONZ team for almost a year now, and it’s been exciting to see their vision take shape. They are building something truly innovative at the intersection of technology and culture, with a strong focus on unlocking value for creators and communities. The team’s passion and execution have been impressive, and I’m confident that IKONZ is poised for significant impact. I look forward to seeing Abinav and team continue to push boundaries and create new opportunities in the space.”
Founded in 2021 by Abhinav Varma Kalidindi, Ikonz Studios is a next-generation AI company specializing in hyper-realistic, multilingual digital avatars and holographic technology. By leveraging generative AI, Ikonz is transforming the way people engage with digital content, bringing iconic personalities to life through interactive and intelligent digital experiences.
Ikonz is also focused on advancing its AI technology, implementing cutting-edge interactive systems that combine real-time voice and video processing with visual recognition capabilities—allowing AI avatars to “see” and interact with users in both digital and physical environments.
