Google buys Alter, an artificial intelligence virtual image start-up, for $100 million

CTOnews.com, October 28 (Xinhua)-- Google has acquired an artificial intelligence virtual image start-up called Alter, formerly known as Facemoji. Alter has launched an open source cross-platform software development kit (SDK) that allows users to create 3D avatars and use them in their applications and websites.

CTOnews.com learned that Facemoji was founded in 2017 and later renamed Alter. The company also received financing from Twitter last year, raising nearly $3 million in seed wheels with the support of Play Ventures, Twitter and Roosh Ventures.

Google has completed its acquisition of Alter for $100 million, according to an anonymous person. The acquisition is said to have been completed two months ago, although it has not been officially announced. Some Alter executives have modified their LinkedIn profiles to show that they already work for Google, but they did not acknowledge the acquisition.

A Google spokesman also confirmed the acquisition to TechCrunch, but gave no financial details. Google bought Alter to upgrade its content products and compete with platforms such as TikTok, according to a person familiar with the situation. So far, Alter founders Robin Raszka and Jon Slimak have not issued an official statement or any comment.