Today Unity have announced they have acquired Artomatix, the Dublin based company behind ArtEngine, an AI powered material creation software.
Details from the Unity blog:
At Unity, we have talented developers working to solve problems using AI and machine learning. This talent, combined with the solution-oriented and production-validated approach of the ArtEngine team, means we can accelerate our ability to build an exceptional set of tools that help artists and creatives in many different ways. Content creators can expedite their process and get infinite variations of their materials in the blink of an eye. Immediate benefits apply to every industry exposed to 3D content, regardless of platform or engine.
We’re very excited to have the ArtEngine team join Unity. They have a great approach to solving the difficult challenges faced by artists, and we can’t wait to see what we can build together. Stay tuned as we combine forces to explore all the ways that AI-driven assisted artistry workflows can help artists deliver exceptional content.
The acquisition however did not just occur, as it was first reported on in December of 2019 by the Irish Times:
Artomatix, an Irish software company that has developed artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which can automate the creation of 3D content, has been acquired in a deal believed to be worth up to $60 million (€54 million).
The buyer’s name has not been disclosed but industry sources described it as a well-known Silicon Valley-based company that does not currently have a base in the Republic.
The transaction, which closed late last week, is valued at between $50 million and $60 million, leading to a significant return for Artomatix’s backers, which include Sure Valley Ventures and Enterprise Ireland.
Today we have learned that Unity was indeed the buyer. There is good news for the Irish technology sector, as (again) the Irish Times have reported Unity intends to hire over 100 employees:
Unity Technologies, which recently acquired Irish software company Artomatix in a deal valued at up to $60 million (€52.8 million), is to create 100 jobs in Dublin over the next two years.
The move comes after Unity announced a new office in the Docklands area of the capital after recently completing the acquisition.
Artomatix chief executive Joe Blake said the company, which currently employs just over 20 people, intends to “immediately triple headcount,” with other Unity divisions also planning to take on staff locally.
You can learn more about the acquisition in the video below… including a small rant on how not to run your tech company!
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GameDev News Unity
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