Cheehoo Raises $10 Million To Build AI Tools For 3D Animation

Forbes - Apr 28th, 2025

Los Angeles-based startup Cheehoo has successfully raised $10 million to develop an AI-enhanced platform that aims to revolutionize animation and interactive storytelling. This platform, described as a 'creative engine,' is designed to streamline the workflow for artists, animators, and IP owners. The funding round was led by Point72 Ventures and included investments from Greycroft, Basis Set, and Headline Asia. The leadership team at Cheehoo brings together expertise from both Hollywood and Silicon Valley, with notable members including former DreamWorks Animation President Chris deFaria and AI scientists from Apple and Stanford. The company is initially focusing on professional studios and IP holders through a closed pilot program, aiming to reduce the cost and time associated with animated content production by integrating AI into the pipeline.

Cheehoo's approach stands out because it generates proprietary 3D assets in-house, allowing clients to retain ownership of their contributions, and avoids the controversial method of scraping the internet for training data. By focusing on 3D asset-based workflows, rather than pure video synthesis, the platform promises greater control and fidelity, essential for professional animation. The company targets enterprises first but plans to eventually open the platform to smaller studios and user-generated content creators. Cheehoo is positioning itself not to replace traditional studios but to help them meet the growing demand for serialized content across digital platforms. The platform's potential to transform the animation industry is significant, as it empowers creators to produce high-quality content more efficiently, enabling them to build franchises with consistent output alongside major animated features.

Interactive Storytelling Cheehoo Ai Enhanced Animation Creative Engine Chris De Faria Rideback Point72 Ventures 3 D Asset Workflows

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Cheehoo's recent funding and technological innovations, presenting a clear and engaging narrative about the company's goals and potential impact on the animation industry. While it excels in clarity and timeliness, offering a well-structured and accessible account of a timely topic, it falls short in terms of balance and source quality. The story primarily focuses on the positive aspects of Cheehoo's approach, lacking diverse perspectives and failing to address potential challenges or criticisms. The absence of explicit source attribution and transparency further limits the story's credibility and depth. Overall, the article effectively captures the reader's interest in the intersection of AI and creativity but could benefit from a more balanced and transparent presentation of information.

Accuracy

The article presents several claims that appear to be mostly accurate but require some clarification. The funding amount of $10 million and the involvement of Point72 Ventures and other investors are consistent with available sources, though there is a discrepancy regarding the lead investor, with other sources naming Greycroft as the lead. The composition of the founding team, including notable figures like Chris deFaria and Dan Lin, is corroborated by other reports. However, specific claims about Cheehoo's technology stack, such as the use of proprietary 3D asset generation and metadata-driven asset management, are partially supported by external sources. The article's assertion about avoiding web scraping for training data is not directly confirmed by other reports, indicating a need for further verification. Overall, the story maintains a reasonable level of factual accuracy but leaves some areas needing additional substantiation.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of Cheehoo's business model and technological innovations, highlighting the potential benefits for artists and studios. It does not explore potential challenges or criticisms, such as the risks associated with AI-driven animation or the competitive landscape. The narrative is largely one-sided, favoring the company's perspective without including counterpoints or industry expert opinions. This lack of balance could lead to a skewed understanding of Cheehoo's market position and the viability of its solutions. A more comprehensive analysis would include perspectives from potential competitors, industry analysts, and animation professionals who may have differing views on the implications of Cheehoo's approach.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear structure and logical flow that makes it easy to follow. It effectively outlines Cheehoo's goals, the composition of its leadership team, and the intended impact of its technology on the animation industry. The language is straightforward and accessible, avoiding technical jargon that could confuse readers unfamiliar with AI or animation processes. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of certain technical aspects, such as how Cheehoo's AI-enhanced workflows differ from traditional methods and the specific benefits they offer to artists and studios.

Source quality

The article does not directly cite its sources, which makes assessing the credibility and reliability of the information challenging. While it mentions interviews with key figures like Michael LoFaso, it lacks explicit attribution to external reports or data. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources limits the depth of the reporting and raises questions about the impartiality and thoroughness of the information presented. To enhance source quality, the article could benefit from referencing industry reports, expert analyses, or independent research that corroborates or challenges its claims.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding its information sources and the methodology behind its claims. It does not disclose the basis for certain assertions, such as the proprietary nature of Cheehoo's technology or the specific advantages of its platform. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest, such as the relationship between Cheehoo and its investors, are not addressed. Greater transparency would involve clarifying the origins of the information, disclosing any affiliations that might influence the reporting, and providing context for the company's strategic decisions.