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§ Private Profile · Portland, OR, USA
Torch 3D is a technology company.
Torch 3D develops an augmented and virtual reality platform that simplifies the creation and deployment of immersive 3D applications. Its core technology enables designers and enterprises to build interactive 3D experiences without extensive coding, utilizing a visual interface for constructing scenes, importing assets, and adding dynamic behaviors. The platform offers capabilities such as heterogeneous batching and fast 3D operators, streamlining the development process for diverse 3D content.
The company was founded around 2017 by Paul Reynolds, Josh Faust, and Antony Falco. Reynolds and Faust, with their backgrounds including experience at Magic Leap, recognized the significant barriers to entry in AR/VR content creation. Their collective insight aimed to democratize 3D application development, moving beyond complex toolchains to offer a more intuitive and accessible solution for broader adoption.
Torch 3D’s platform serves a range of users, including designers and enterprises seeking to integrate 3D experiences into their operations, such as for digital merchandising or interactive product visualization. The company’s vision centers on making the power of 3D applications universally accessible, empowering creators and businesses to realize their immersive content strategies efficiently and effectively, ultimately unlocking new possibilities across various industries.
Torch 3D has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round.
Torch 3D has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
# Torch 3D: High-Level Overview
Torch 3D is a VR/AR prototyping platform designed for professional designers and developers to create immersive 3D applications.[1][2] Founded in 2017 and based in Portland, Oregon, the company developed tools that enable designers to prototype and design directly within virtual and augmented reality environments.[1][3] Rather than targeting general consumers, Torch focused specifically on the professional user experience and interface design community, positioning itself as infrastructure for the emerging spatial computing market.[1]
The company's technology found practical application in e-commerce and automotive retail, where it enabled immersive experiences like virtual product visualization and 3D merchandising.[4][5] This specialization in professional-grade VR/AR design tools reflected a strategic bet on the growing need for spatial computing capabilities as VR and AR adoption accelerated across industries.
# Origin Story
Torch 3D was founded in 2017 by Paul Reynolds, Josh Faust, and others.[3] Reynolds brought relevant expertise from his work as Senior Director of SDKs and Apps at Magic Leap, Inc., a leading spatial computing company, giving the founding team deep knowledge of VR platform development and ecosystem building.[1] This background positioned Torch to understand both the technical requirements and market needs of professional designers transitioning to 3D and spatial design workflows.
The company emerged during a period of growing interest in VR/AR development tools, targeting a specific gap: the lack of accessible, professional-grade platforms for designers (rather than just programmers) to work in 3D environments. This focus on designer experience rather than developer experience alone represented a deliberate market positioning.
# Core Differentiators
# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Torch 3D operated at the intersection of two major tech trends: the professionalization of VR/AR development and the shift toward spatial computing as a primary interface paradigm. The company's focus on designer tools reflected recognition that VR/AR adoption would ultimately depend on making these technologies accessible to the broader creative workforce, not just specialized engineers.
By targeting professional designers, Torch positioned itself as infrastructure for the spatial web—the emerging layer of immersive digital experiences overlaid on physical commerce and communication. The company's application in automotive e-commerce exemplified how spatial computing was beginning to reshape customer experience in traditional industries.
# Quick Take & Future Outlook
Torch 3D's acquisition by Fyusion signals the consolidation of spatial computing tools into broader digital merchandising platforms.[4] Rather than remaining an independent platform company, Torch's technology was absorbed into a company focused on bringing immersive experiences to e-commerce at scale. This trajectory reflects the broader pattern in VR/AR: specialized tools are increasingly being integrated into larger platforms serving specific verticals (retail, automotive, real estate) rather than remaining horizontal developer platforms.
The company's evolution from a general VR/AR design platform to a specialized tool for digital merchandising demonstrates how spatial computing adoption is proceeding vertically—solving specific, high-value problems in commerce before becoming universally adopted. Torch's legacy lies in proving that professional designers could be a primary user base for spatial computing tools, a lesson that continues to shape how VR/AR platforms are built and marketed today.
Torch 3D has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Seed in July 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2017 | $4M Seed | JIM Mclean, Marco Demiroz | The Venture Reality Fund, Mike Buckley, Antipodean Ventures, GFR Fund, Jerome Capital, Presence Capital, Seven Peaks Ventures, TWB Investment Partnership | Announced |
Torch 3D has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Torch 3D's investors include Jim McLean, Marco DeMiroz, The Venture Reality Fund, Mike Buckley, Antipodean Ventures, GFR Fund, Jerome Capital, Presence Capital, Seven Peaks Ventures, TWB Investment Partnership.