Recently, the visual AI platform Napkin, co-founded by former Google employees Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, announced it has secured $10 million in funding led by Accel and CRV. The platform aims to provide users with tools to quickly create visual content through generative AI technology, enhancing the effectiveness of idea communication and interaction.
Napkin's core product targets marketing professionals, content creators, engineers, and other professionals who need to engage in creative sales and content creation. Sharma stated, "Our goal is to transform the design process into a primarily generative one, thereby minimizing the time and hassle required for design."
Users can start with text or have Napkin generate text based on prompts, after which the platform creates a canvas similar to Notion. By clicking the "spark icon" after a text paragraph, the text transforms into customizable visual effects, including flowcharts, graphs, infographics, and more. Users can further edit colors, fonts, and add decorative elements. The final product can be exported in various formats or shared via a URL.
What sets Napkin apart is its "generation-first" experience. Sharma explained, "Unlike tools that add generative components within existing editors, we focus on generation primarily, with editing functionalities secondary."
However, initial trials indicate that Napkin still has some limitations when dealing with complex or ambiguous content. It sometimes generates visuals unrelated to the original text or fabricates information. Additionally, its design style is somewhat homogenized, described by some early users as "high school level."
Despite this, investors have high hopes for the Napkin team. Rich Wong from Accel said, "Jerome and Pramod possess the extraordinary ability to solve technical challenges and make it easy for users to get started. We are excited to support Napkin in introducing visual AI to the new chapter of business storytelling."
Sharma mentioned that the funds will be used for product development and recruiting talents such as AI engineers and graphic designers. Currently, the Napkin team consists of 10 members, with plans to expand to 15 by the end of the year.
As a startup in its early stages, Napkin faces challenges in further refining its product and enhancing generation quality. However, with its unique positioning and an experienced founding team, Napkin is poised to carve out a niche in the increasingly visual-focused business communication environment.