Nvidia’s pioneering work in building processors that drive highly detailed, compute-intensive simulation has opened doors across industries, from gaming to AI training. Now, two of the engineers behind these innovations at Nvidia, Michelle Lu and Kier Storey, have launched a startup and secured $21.5 million in funding to bring their vision to life.
Their startup, Vsim, based in Manchester, is developing a cutting-edge physics simulation framework designed for robotics training. Backed by EQT Ventures, Factorial Fund, Samsung Next, Tru Arrow, Xora (a subsidiary of Temasek), and other notable investors, the funding round brings Vsim’s total capital raised to $24 million, placing its valuation around $100 million.
Although Vsim has operated largely in stealth mode, Lu revealed to TechCrunch that their initial focus is on revolutionizing robotics training. However, the scope of their technology extends far beyond this sector, with potential applications in diverse fields. The evolving nature of simulation technology, driven by improved processing power and specialized tools, makes this the perfect moment for Vsim’s breakthrough.
Lu and Storey’s partnership goes back two decades, from their days as physics students at Newcastle University to their early ventures in simulation tech. After a short-lived startup attempt in 2007, they joined Bizarre Creations, a game studio, before transitioning to Nvidia, where they spent over 10 years perfecting simulation technology.
Now with two decades of experience and deep market insights, the pair have identified a gap in the robotics simulation market. Robotics, especially in industrial settings, is at a turning point, with advancements in processing, mechanics, and AI opening new possibilities for development.
“The robotics space is now at an inflection point,” said Lu. “With our experience and conversations with potential customers, we’re confident in the demand for what we’re building.”
While companies like Nvidia are developing robotics simulations, Vsim is taking the tech to new heights. As Sandra Malmberg from EQT Ventures noted, “Vsim’s simulation tools are designed for real-world environments that are dynamic and unpredictable. Their high-performance simulations enable real-time decision-making, which is crucial for robotics and beyond.”
Vsim’s journey to reimagine simulation technology is just beginning, with potential applications far beyond robotics, from research and entertainment to manufacturing and pharma.
