This AI Startup Just Raised $2.5M to Change How Architects Work

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-10

Most industries have been completely reshaped by technology over the last couple of decades. Architecture? Not so much. The same software tools have dominated the field for thirty years, and until recently, nobody seemed willing to shake things up. That's exactly why Visoid's latest funding round is worth paying attention to. The Oslo-based startup just secured $2.5 million (€2.16 million) to scale its AI-powered visualisation platform, and the money comes with some serious backing from investors who clearly see a shift happening. ### The Funding Round at a Glance Skyfall Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investors StartupLab, OBOS, and Antler. New investors Farvatn and byFounders Angel Collective also joined in. That's a solid mix of Nordic capital and startup expertise, which tells you something about the confidence the team has earned in a short time. Visoid was founded in 2023 by Mark Szoke, a former architect, and Joachim Holwech, a serial entrepreneur. The company's pitch is refreshingly simple: instead of replacing the architect's creative process, it takes existing 3D models and turns them into high-quality visualisations in minutes. No need to start from scratch, no need to learn a whole new workflow. The original design intent stays intact. ### Why Architects Are Finally Switching Tools If you've ever talked to an architect about software, you've probably heard the same complaint. The tools are clunky, outdated, and painfully slow when it comes to rendering. But change has been slow because switching tools feels risky when you're in the middle of a major project. Visoid's CEO, Mark Szoke, put it this way: "Architects have been using the same software for the past 30 years, and they were reluctant to try new ones. It's amazing to see how fast they adapt to this technology. We don't need to sell it to them, they simply want it themselves." That's a pretty strong signal. When a product sells itself because it genuinely solves a problem, you know you're onto something. ### What Makes Visoid Different There are plenty of AI tools out there that promise to generate beautiful images. But architecture requires more than just pretty pictures. As Joachim Holwech, CPO at Visoid, explains: "Architecture requires much more than beautiful images. Architects need AI that understands their models, preserves design intent and fits naturally into professional workflows." That's the key differentiator. Visoid isn't just a fancy filter or a rendering engine. It's a platform that understands the structure and logic of architectural models, which means it can produce visualisations that are actually useful for decision-making, not just for presentations. Here's what the platform allows architects to do: - Iterate faster on design options without waiting hours for renders - Communicate ideas more effectively to clients and stakeholders - Make better decisions early in the design process - Skip the traditional rendering workflow entirely ### Traction With Global Firms Visoid isn't just a promising idea sitting in a lab. The company reports that it's already working with some of the biggest names in architecture, including OMA, LEO A DALY, Sweco Group, and Nordic Office of Architecture. That's a serious stamp of approval for a startup that's only been around since 2023. Preben Songe-Møller, Partner and co-founder at Skyfall Ventures, had this to say about the team: "Mark and Joachim combine deep domain expertise with serious technical depth in AI and machine learning, and a commercial instinct that comes naturally to them." ### What Happens Next With the new capital in hand, Visoid has clear plans. The company currently has nine employees and expects to double in size by the end of the year. The focus will be on expanding its engineering, product, and commercial teams, while also accelerating the development of new AI capabilities for architectural workflows. There's also a push to grow the international customer base and deepen partnerships with leading architecture and design firms around the world. If you're in the architecture space, this is a company worth watching. The combination of strong investor backing, real customer traction, and a product that architects actually want to use is rare. And if the team can keep delivering on its promise, Visoid could well become the new standard for how architectural visualisation gets done.