Gamma Acquires Accel-Backed Design Startup Lica to Build AI Research Lab

Presentation software company Gamma has acquired AI design startup Lica to create a new research division focused on improving how people create and share visual communication.

Lica’s co-founders Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta will lead the new effort. The acquisition brings together Gamma’s presentation platform with Lica’s work on AI-powered design and communication tools.

Gamma expands AI design research with Lica acquisition

Lica was founded in 2023 as a tool that could transform screenshots and recordings into project presentations and videos. The startup later raised $4 million from investors including Accel, South Park Commons, and Village Global.

The company shifted its focus to helping e-commerce businesses create marketing videos that adhere to brand guidelines. Its founders said they wanted to develop AI models around communication formats such as video and design.

Kalyanaraman said discussions with Gamma eventually led to the acquisition because both companies shared a goal of making visual communication easier. Gamma had focused on distributing presentation tools at large scale, while Lica focused on research and AI-driven creation methods.

New research division will explore future presentations

Gamma will continue building presentation tools while expanding research into new forms of communication. The company said it wants to explore interactive, multimodal presentations and new ways people can create and engage with visual content.

Gamma CEO Grant Lee said the new research effort will focus on questions around how presentations can evolve, what types of visuals are possible, and how communication experiences can become more interactive.

Lica co-founder Purvanshi Mehta said the team wants to build AI systems that can adapt presentation styles for different audiences and preferences, allowing users to create content that better matches specific communication goals.

AI presentation market sees growing investment

Gamma did not disclose specific products that will come from the acquisition but said it aims to develop more flexible communication formats using AI.

The acquisition comes as AI presentation and design startups continue attracting investor interest. Gamma has raised significant funding, while other companies in the category have also secured large investments.

The sector has also seen early consolidation as larger AI companies look to expand their capabilities in creative tools and communication platforms.