Demoverse Raises $600,000 in Pre-Seed Funding
Demoverse, an innovative startup that empowers brands to co-create products with their consumers, has successfully raised $600,000 in a pre-seed funding round. The funding round, announced on September 23, 2026, was led by Lumikai, a venture capital firm known for its focus on interactive media and digital platforms. Additional investment came from Marlan, a UAE-based investor, along with a group of angel investors.
What Demoverse Does
Demoverse offers a unique platform that allows brands to engage directly with their audiences in the product development process. Brands can present a product concept to their consumers, who then have the opportunity to evolve the design through a collaborative process. This approach not only validates demand before production but also rewards consumers with royalties for their contributions to successful designs.
Leadership and Vision
The company was founded by Akshay Mehta, who sees a significant opportunity in merging AI with consumer input to redefine how products are created. Mehta commented, "Two decades of social media have trained people to form and express opinions on everything they see. Two years of AI have given the masses the ability to express what they want in a visual format."
Strategic Use of Funds
Demoverse plans to utilize the newly acquired funds to expand its platform capabilities and convert early trials with Indian consumer brands into paid campaigns. Initially focusing on the fashion industry, the startup aims to broaden its reach into beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and other consumer categories.
Investor Insight
Salone Sehgal, Founder and Managing Partner at Lumikai, expressed confidence in Demoverse's approach, highlighting the potential of AI to revolutionize consumer engagement in product development. This investment aligns with Lumikai's commitment to nurturing the next generation of interactive platforms.
Demoverse's innovative approach could reshape how brands and consumers interact, potentially leading to more personalized and successful product offerings.