Google buys artificial intelligence avatar startup Alter for $100 million: Report

Google has acquired an artificial intelligence virtual image startup called Alter, which was previously called Facemoji. Alter has launched an open-source, cross-platform software development kit (SDK) that lets users create 3D avatars and use them in their apps and websites.

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Facemoji was established in 2017 and later changed its name to Alter. The company also received funding from Twitter last year, raising nearly $3 million in a seed round with the backing of Play Ventures, Twitter, and Roosh Ventures.

Google has completed the acquisition of Alter for $100 million, according to an anonymous source. The acquisition is said to have been completed two months ago, although no official announcement has been made.

Some Alter executives have modified their LinkedIn profiles to show that they already work for Google, but these executives have not acknowledged the acquisition.

A Google spokesperson also confirmed the acquisition to TechCrunch but gave no financial details. Google bought Alter to boost its content offering to compete with platforms like TikTok, according to a person familiar with the situation. As of now, Alter founders Robin Raszka and Jon Slimak have not issued an official statement or any comment.