Zoo
AI-enabled CAD platform for hardware design, offering Text-to-CAD, Modeling App, and APIs for 3D printing and manufacturing
- CEO / Founder
- Jessie Frazelle
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $10.12M
- Latest Round
- Seed VC - III
- Key Investors
- Embedded Ventures, Venrex, Undeterred Capital, Liquid 2 Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Gaingels, Madrona, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Tom Preston-Werner, Nat Friedman, Kelvin Beachum, Matt Terrell
Technology & Products
Key Products
Zoo Text-to-CAD (AI 3D model generation from text); Zoo Modeling App (interactive 3D CAD environment); Zoo API (programmatic access for design automation)
Technological Advantage
Proprietary AI models trained on manufacturing-aware 3D geometry; integration with downstream manufacturing processes (3D printing, CNC); rapid iteration through natural language interface reducing barrier to complex CAD operations
Differentiation
Value Proposition
AI-powered CAD platform enabling hardware designers to generate, iterate, and export production-ready 3D models from text descriptions, integrating directly with 3D printing and CNC manufacturing workflows
How They Differentiate
Text-to-CAD AI approach bypasses traditional parametric CAD complexity; founder Jessie Frazelle brings deep container/cloud-native expertise to hardware design tooling; purpose-built for manufacturing output rather than general 3D modeling
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Hardware designers, mechanical engineers, and product development teams seeking AI-accelerated CAD workflows for 3D printing and manufacturing
Industry Verticals
Hardware Design; Consumer Electronics; Robotics; Aerospace; Manufacturing
Competitors
KittyCAD; nTop (now nTopology); Traditional CAD: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape; Generative AI: PTC Creo Generative Design, Autodesk Generative Design
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Team: 38 employees; Funding: $5M Seed; Investors: Sequoia Capital, Embedded Ventures, Venrex, Undeterred Capital, Liquid 2 Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Gaingels, Madrona, Tom Preston-Werner, Nat Friedman, Kelvin Beachum
Major Milestones
2021: Founded by Jessie Frazelle in Los Angeles; Raised $5M Seed round from notable investors including Sequoia Capital, Embedded Ventures; Launched AI-powered Text-to-CAD platform; Team grew to 38 employees; Platform integrates with 3D printing and manufacturing workflows
Notable Customers
RMFG