Jigspace Raises $4.7M Series A - Apple & Snap Partnership

The Rise of JigSpace: Democratizing 3D Knowledge Sharing

In 2015, Zac Duff, a former Art Director, encountered common hurdles while teaching a game development course online. These challenges mirrored those faced by educators globally following pandemic-related lockdowns.

Leveraging his expertise in 3D design, Duff conceived a virtual reality classroom to enhance remote learning engagement. Students were provided with VR headsets, allowing them to immerse themselves in an Ancient Greek-inspired learning environment he created.

Scaling the Vision

Duff recognized the limitations of scaling this VR-based model. Widespread adoption was hindered by the lack of VR headset availability in most schools and the specialized skillset required to develop such immersive environments.

However, he identified a clear need for a user-friendly platform enabling anyone to create 3D presentations and share information through augmented reality (AR).

Knowledge Transfer at its Core

“At the heart of this lies knowledge transfer – effectively conveying information from one person to another,” Duff explained to TechCrunch.

He drew parallels to established presentation tools like Microsoft PowerPoint and Canva, which simplify the creation of 2D visuals for communication. “Similar systems exist in 2D, but a comparable solution was absent in 3D, requiring a complex and costly technical process.”

From Concept to JigSpace

This realization prompted Duff to outline the foundation of what would become JigSpace in 2017.

The JigSpace platform now boasts over 4 million users and maintains an impressive 4.8 average rating on the App Store. Users can interact with 3D models in AR, learning tasks like fixing a leaky sink, repairing drywall, or assembling a Lego Star Wars spacecraft.

Jigs, as these interactive models are called, also cover educational topics, illustrating the workings of a piano, the anatomy of the human eye, and the spread of the coronavirus.

Expanding Use Cases

The potential applications of JigSpace are vast. Duff envisions collaborations with manufacturing companies to create 3D Jigs of their products.

Imagine replacing your AC filter using an AR 3D model instead of a traditional, often unclear, 2D instruction manual.

Securing Series A Funding

JigSpace recently announced a $4.7 million Series A funding round, led by Rampersand, with participation from Investible, Vulpes, and Roger Allen AM.

The JigSpace app is freely available, allowing users to combine pre-made elements and templates to build their own Jigs. More technically inclined users can upload files up to 30 MB for greater customization.

Jig Pro: A Commercial Solution

The company’s revenue stream is driven by Jig Pro, a platform tailored for businesses and manufacturers.

Individual subscriptions to Jig Pro are priced at $49 per month, while enterprise pricing remains undisclosed.

Leveraging Existing 3D Data

“Our strongest sector has been durable manufacturing, as most products already have CAD files, meaning the 3D models already exist,” Duff stated.

“We then provide these companies with the tools to create instructional material around their products.”

Strategic Partnerships

Following the launch of Jig Pro, Apple featured it during the iPhone 12 Keynote, showcasing how the iPhone 12’s lidar scanner and 5G capabilities could streamline manufacturing processes.

JigSpace also collaborated with Snapchat to develop a Lens that scans everyday kitchen items, revealing 3D Jigs explaining their functionality, from microwaves to coffee makers.

Growth and Adoption

Since its launch in mid-2020, Jig Pro’s customer base has experienced a 40% monthly growth rate. Users log into the app at least once daily, on average.

Companies like Verizon, Volkswagen, and Medtronic are utilizing JigSpace to develop 3D models for presentations to stakeholders, customers, and remote teams.

The emergence of tools like Apple’s Capture will further simplify the import of 3D models into JigSpace.

Accessibility and the Future of Learning

Despite its commercial potential, Duff emphasizes the importance of maintaining a free version of JigSpace to ensure accessible AR learning.

“We aim to empower those with knowledge to share, not just technical experts,” Duff explained. “From the outset, my co-founder Numa Bertron and I were committed to a free version. Knowledge should be readily available to everyone, in the most effective format possible.”