UCL Computer Science spinout Synthesia hits $4bn valuation after $200m funding round
The funding milestone highlights how university-led AI research is translating into global-scale companies, as Synthesia doubles its valuation in a year.
University College London (UCL) has produced one of the UK’s most valuable private AI companies after Synthesia, co-founded by a UCL Computer Science professor, secured $200 million in new funding and reached a $4 billion valuation.
The deal places UCL Computer Science at the center of a rapidly scaling AI video company and underscores the growing commercial impact of academic research as universities increasingly contribute to enterprise AI, skills development, and digital learning tools.
From UCL research to global AI scale-up
Synthesia was founded in 2017 by a team of scientists and entrepreneurs including Lourdes Agapito, Professor of 3D Computer Vision at UCL Computer Science, alongside Victor Riparbelli, Steffen Tjerrild, and Matthias Niessner.
The company develops generative AI video technology that allows organizations to create professional video content using digital avatars. Synthesia says its platform is now used by major global organizations, including around 70 percent of the FTSE 100, as well as public sector and international bodies.
In a post on LinkedIn, Agapito wrote, “It is an incredibly proud and important moment for the entire team at Synthesia to reach this milestone.” She added, “This investment will open the next chapter of Synthesia, allowing us to build a category-defining company that will transform AI-powered learning and communication experiences through conversational agents.”
Funding led by Google Ventures and Nvidia participation
The Series E funding round was led by GV (Google Ventures), with participation from Nvidia’s venture arm and existing investors. The raise increased Synthesia’s valuation from $2.1 billion to $4 billion in just one year, placing it among the UK’s most valuable private AI companies.
The company said the funding would be used to build on its existing AI video platform and to further develop interactive AI agents, as it looks to expand how organizations communicate, share knowledge, and scale expertise.
Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, wrote on LinkedIn, “Today marks the next chapter for Synthesia as we announce our $200M Series E led by GV.” He added that the company is now focused on rethinking what AI-native video looks like, rather than replicating traditional formats.
University-led innovation and wider impact
UCL leadership has pointed to Synthesia as an example of research-led innovation translating into real-world impact. Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement, says, “This is a tremendous achievement by a company co-founded by a UCL scientist. It shows how cutting-edge research conducted at UCL can have significant, real-world impact, create benefits for society and become a world-leading tech company.”
Synthesia is headquartered in London’s Regent’s Place innovation district, close to Euston and King’s Cross, an area that has become a hub for UK technology and life sciences companies.
As universities increasingly seek to demonstrate tangible outcomes from AI research, Synthesia’s growth reinforces the role of academic expertise in shaping scalable AI platforms used across enterprise learning, internal communications, and skills development.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
