Nuance Labs

Specialized AI model sees, listens, and responds the way a person does, so people can express themselves naturally

The company is building visual conversational AI.

Seattle-based Nuance Labs raises $50 million in Series A funding to build an AI model that perceives and responds to real-time human expression. Its full-duplex model processes live audiovisual cues, including tone, gaze, and timing, while generating conversational responses; a demo shows an avatar adjusting facial expressions and verbal cues as a user speaks. Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round, joined by existing backers Accel and South Park Commons and new investors NVIDIA and Define Ventures.

Sep 2026GeekWireNews article

Nuance Labs, led by Fangchang Ma, Edward Zhang, and Karren Yang, has secured **$50 million in Series A funding** from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Accel, South Park Commons, NVIDIA, and Define Ventures. The company is developing an **AI foundation model** designed to interpret human communication with emotional intelligence. Nuance Labs plans to release a **public research preview** of its model later this year.

Sep 2026Menlo TimesNews article

Nuance Labs secures $50 million in Series A funding led by Lightspeed and supported by NVIDIA. The company develops AI models capable of interpreting facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures in real-time conversations.

Sep 2026Today's Startup NewsNews article

Nuance Labs raises $50 million in a Series A round to develop AI avatars that hold more natural face-to-face conversations. Led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, the round also includes returning investors Accel and South Park Commons, plus Nvidia and Define Ventures. The startup’s full-duplex model processes audiovisual input and responds to verbal and nonverbal cues in real time; its first research preview is planned for later this year.

Sep 2026SiliconAngleNews article