Story Engine, an AI startup co-founded by Bangladeshi Stanford graduate Sheikh Srijon, has secured US$750K in pre-seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z). The startup, founded by Srijon, Zhizhuo Zhou, and Wanrong He, focuses on applying generative AI technology to the webtoon and anime industry through generative AI technology.

The platform developed by Story Engine Inc. allows users to create detailed, controllable characters and visual narratives across multiple panels, addressing the limitations of current AI tools. "While a significant portion of Gen Z in the US are anime fans, few have the tools to create their own visual stories," stated Srijon, emphasizing the startup’s mission to democratize the creation of webtoons and anime, similar to YouTube's impact on video content creation.

The funding will be used to scale operational activities and enhance the training of their AI models. Additionally, the startup received US$500K in Google Cloud credits, which Srijon notes as critical for extending the startup's operational runway.

Working with A16Z not only provides capital but also grants access to mentorship and a network of tech pioneers from companies like Tinder and Zynga. Srijon also shared that their mentor Andrew Lee is readily available for advice, significantly benefiting Story Engine’s strategy and growth.

Story Engine Inc. is also gaining traction with its alpha product, www.komiko.app, which is currently available for early testers. The platform is supported by a Discord community, highlighting the startup's commitment to community engagement and intellectual property development as it continues to evolve in the tech space.