Hyderabad-headquartered AI startup Ikonz Studios receives $5 million from Marc Jordan, others

Hyderabad-headquatered artificial intelligence (AI) startup Ikonz Studios has raised $5 million (around Rs 43.44 crore) in pre-series A funding from American-Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer Marc Jordan, among others, according to an official statement today, Febriary 17.

The company plans to use the funds to expand its intellectual property (IP) portfolio in both India and global markets while scaling its technical and execution teams, it said in the statement.

"A major portion of the funding will be directed toward acquiring and developing high-value digital IPs, strengthening Ikonz's leadership in AI-powered interactive content.

"Additionally, the company is set to triple its workforce from 34 to nearly 100 employees, with approximately 80 per cent of the team based in India and 20 per cent in the US," it said.
Jordan was joined by investor Madhusudan Kela, Expedia CTO Ramana Thummu, and Enam Group Principal Owner Akash Bhanshali.

All four investors came on board through their family office.

"This investment is a testament to the transformative potential of Ikonz Studios in redefining AI-driven experiences. With the support of industry visionaries like Ramana, Marc, Mr Kela, and Mr. Bhanshali, we are poised to scale our impact globally—expanding our IP, strengthening our technology, and enhancing the way people interact with AI. Our goal is not just to lead in AI innovation but to revolutionize storytelling, brand engagement, and digital interactions at a scale never seen before," said Abinav Varma Kalidindi, founder and CEO of Ikonz Studios.

Ikonz expects to triple its revenue this year as it positions itself for an upcoming funding round within the next four months, the statement said.

Ikonz Studios develops generative AI and holographic technologies to enhance human engagement across industries like banking, healthcare, education, and retail.