Prague-based ValkaAI, which develops technology for real-time, responsive video not yet achievable at scale, has secured €12 million in a pre-seed funding round, making it one of the largest in the region, as Vestbee was informed.
- Established in 2026 by Vlastimil Venclík and Miloš Lokajíček, ValkaAI develops real-time interactive video technology using AI-driven digital avatars. The company’s platform generates synthetic video content on demand, including AI commentators and digital characters that react to live events and user interactions.
- The technology works by creating fully controllable avatars capable of performing in real time, with personalized responses tailored to individual viewers. ValkaAI operates teams in San Francisco, Prague, and Dubai and employs around 45 people, including researchers from Meta and DeepMind.
- Its system is designed to produce video environments and AI personas instantly, enabling applications in sports, e-sports, and other media where real-time, interactive experiences are required.
Details of the deal
- The pre-seed round was led by Rockaway Ventures, a Prague-based VC firm that invests in AI-driven startups across Europe and the US and is part of a fund covering tech, private equity, and blockchain. The investment also saw participation from J&T Ventures, Tensor Ventures, BD Partners, and Fond Naše Česko.
“The founder plays a central role. Vlasta Venclík has a clear vision, deep technological understanding, and has already proven his ability to build a global business and attract top talent. That’s why we believe ValkaAI has the potential to redefine how people consume sports, e-sports, and other forms of entertainment and create an entirely new, standalone category," claims Petr Šmíd, General Partner at Rockaway Ventures.
- With the fresh €12 million investment, ValkaAI aims to accelerate the development of its core technologies, including fully controllable digital avatars and AI commentators that react in real time. The funding will also help expand research and product teams, build the computational infrastructure needed for large-scale deployment, and support early commercial pilots, particularly in the sports and e-sports sectors, demonstrating the platform’s potential for interactive, personalized video experiences.
