Unit1 Studio, based in the United Kingdom, has raised $20m in new funding to continue developing technology that creates digital avatars of artists for live concerts.
The round includes equity investment led by venture capital firm Balderton and production financing. The company launched in October 2025 with technology designed to help artists turn themselves into digital avatars for performances.
Unit1 Studio also announced a technical milestone: its first showcase, featuring artist KT Tunstall, has been relocated from its former offices in Hammersmith to its new studio at Tileyard London.
Founder Barney Wragg said the ability to move an avatar production is central to making the format commercially viable. “ABBA Voyage proved audiences love avatar concerts but the development and relocation costs have meant the opportunity of avatar concerts is not being realised,” Wragg said. “Our ability to develop these shows at a fraction of the cost and replicate them to any location finally makes these shows a commercial reality.”
The company’s focus is on avatar concerts that can tour, rather than being limited to single-venue residencies. Unit1 Studio has also appointed John Kennedy, former chief of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), to its board. Veteran artist manager Paul McGuinness is among the investors in the latest round.
