BUD provides a drag-and-drop app for mainstream Gen Z users to design bulbous 3D characters, virtual assets and richly colored interactive spaces without any coding. Since launching in November, users have created over 15 million custom experiences and virtual assets on its marketplace have exchanged hands more than 150 million times. The app is free-to-use and currently ad-free; BUD is not charging commissions or otherwise monetizing the platform yet. It ranks among the top 10 social apps in nearly 40 countries and is the top free social Android app in Thailand and Vietnam. BUD plans to introduce an NFT marketplace so creators can record ownership and resell digital assets on the blockchain. The company has a team of about 130 employees across headquarters in Singapore and offices in Shenzhen and the U.S. BUD is an app that allows users to create customizable 3D experiences and interact with others, featuring cuddly characters reminiscent of Animal Crossing. It rolled out in November and quickly shot to the top 10 social apps on Android in several countries including the U.S., though its U.S. ranking later slipped into the 100s. The company says it has maintained three-digit month-on-month worldwide growth since launch. Founded in 2019 by former Snap engineers Shawn Lin and Risa Feng, BUD has grown to a team of 100 and plans to reach 200 employees by year-end and set up a global headquarters in Singapore. The product emphasizes drag-and-drop tools that enable non-technical users to build 3D worlds, positioning it alongside apps like Zepeto and Roblox. The company says it will use new funding to support product R&D and international user growth.

Total raised

$52M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

May 2022