Argil, a Y Combinator-backed startup offering AI tools for the creator economy, has raised €4.9 million in combined pre-seed and seed funding rounds. Led by EQT Ventures, the funding included participation from prominent YouTuber Kwebblekop and Charles Gorintin, co-founder of Alan and advisor at Mistral AI.
Founded by Laodis Menard, Argil’s platform allows users to generate lifelike, multilingual AI avatars from video, text, or audio content within minutes. Starting at just $1 per minute, the technology aims to democratize video production, reducing the cost and complexity of engaging audiences.
Argil’s features include:
- AI-enabled pre-editing: Simplifies creating videos optimized for social media.
- Realistic avatars: Offers customizable avatars with natural body language and facial expressions.
- Content transformation: Converts text or audio into video content using templates and user avatars.
“Creating videos should be as easy as writing a tweet,” said CEO Laodis Menard. “We’re enabling anyone to produce high-quality, engaging content without requiring advanced technical skills.”
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Early Success and Notable Clients
The startup is already being used by popular YouTubers and high-profile estates, including Audrey Hepburn’s, to revive legacy celebrities for modern audiences.
Support from EQT Ventures
Ted Persson, Partner at EQT Ventures, emphasized Argil’s potential: “Argil stands at the intersection of AI and the creator economy—two transformative megatrends. We’re impressed by the team’s vision and execution.”
Expanding the Creator Economy
With its funding, the company plans to enhance its technology, expand its client base, and further develop its platform to make synthetic media accessible to a global audience. The startup is poised to redefine how creators and brands connect with audiences through innovative video solutions.
