Synaps Raises $3.6M to Rival AutoCAD with AI Canvas

Jan de Vries · 2026-05-01

Just five months after its first beta release, Vienna-based Synaps—an AI-powered canvas for architects—has secured a $3.6 million pre-Seed round. The investment comes from US heavyweights Plug and Play and Fil Rouge, signaling serious interest in the future of architectural design. The beta launched in November 2025 in Tirana, and the full product is set to drop in summer 2026. But Synaps isn't rushing. CEO Brendon Ahmeti explains: "While most startups would capitalize on the initial hype, we chose an alternative path that better fits our company DNA. We wanted to demonstrate actual numbers, traction, and credibility from relevant users." ### What Makes Synaps Different? Synaps isn't just another AI tool. Founded by Ahmeti, Agron Bajraktari, and Kevin Cobaj, it's described as the love child of Figma and Lovable—but one that grew up to become an architect. The tagline? "Turning words into buildings." That's not just marketing fluff. Using a generative vector-based AI floorplan tool called Vecy AI, Synaps lets you design, visualize, collaborate, and present everything in one place. It's vibe designing, but taken to the next level. Here's what sets it apart: - Cuts the number of commands by 80% by analyzing architect behavior - Speeds up the drawing process by 50x compared to existing solutions - Renders 2D, 3D, and video 100 to 1,000 times faster, depending on complexity All of that with just a few words and a button push. ### The Bigger Picture: Saving Time and Money Globally, there are an estimated 200 million draftspeople who design 95% of the world's buildings. They spend nearly half their time just drawing and rendering. Synaps aims to end that "theft of time, talent, and money"—and do it for a fraction of the cost. ### Traction and Milestones Since beta, Synaps has hit some impressive numbers: - 60,000 total users - 1,500 daily active users - Hundreds of paying customers - Over 10 million social media reach via YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn - 10,000 pre-registrations before launch And it's not just hype. Synaps claims that 6 of the world's top 10 architectural offices have already trialed or implemented the platform. Three of the ten largest VC firms globally are now looking to invest. ### Looking Ahead Synaps has already set up a US office in San Francisco and grown its team from 4 to 17 employees. The plan is to expand the user base from 60,000 to 300,000 by the end of 2026—with a target of 150,000 by September. Version 1 launches in summer 2026, bringing over 20 new AI tools for drafting and post-production. A double-digit million Seed round is expected to close by the end of 2026, and the San Francisco office will be fully operational within six months. "What excites us most about Synaps is the tangible productivity impact it delivers for architecture bureaus," says the team. "Rendering alone can consume an enormous share of a studio's resources." With this kind of momentum, Synaps isn't just competing with AutoCAD—it's redefining what's possible.