Gamma Acquires Design Startup Lica to Build AI Communication Research Division

Presentation platform Gamma has acquired Lica, an early-stage design startup backed by Accel, to establish an internal design research laboratory. The acquisition brings Lica’s co-founders into Gamma to lead the new initiative, which will study and develop next-generation presentation and visual communication formats.

What Happened

According to reporting by TechCrunch, Gamma reached an agreement to acquire Lica after ongoing discussions between leadership teams. Both companies shared early support from common venture capital backers, including Accel and South Park Commons. Lica was established in 2023 by Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta, initially launching a service capable of converting screen captures and recordings into project decks and videos.

In 2024, Lica raised $4 million in funding from investors such as Accel, South Park Commons, and Village Global. Over the subsequent two years, the team shifted attention toward assisting e-commerce businesses in generating branded marketing videos. Following the deal, Kalyanaraman and Mehta will spearhead Gamma’s newly formed research branch, working on models aimed at refining how artificial intelligence handles design, video, and audience-tailored communication.

Key Highlights

• New Research Division: Gamma is establishing a dedicated design research lab led directly by Lica co-founders Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta.
• Shared Investor Backing: Both Gamma and Lica were previously backed by venture firms Accel and South Park Commons, which facilitated conversations between the founders and Gamma CEO Grant Lee.
• Product Evolution: While Gamma’s core offering remains presentation creation alongside recent image generation tools, the team plans to research multimodal and interactive presentation formats.
• Lica’s Background: Founded in 2023, Lica raised $4 million in 2024 and focused on automated, brand-aligned marketing video creation for e-commerce platforms.
• Industry Consolidation: The acquisition occurs amid growing capital flows into AI-driven presentation software, where Gamma previously raised $68 million at a $2.1 billion valuation, Prezent secured $50 million across two rounds, and OpenAI recently acquired NextSlide.

Why This Matters

The transaction illustrates how presentation platforms are looking beyond static slide decks toward multimodal and dynamic visual formats. Lica focused its research on developing artificial intelligence models centered on communication methods, including video and layout. However, turning research into wide commercial use required scale.

As Kalyanaraman noted to TechCrunch, Gamma had already built extensive distribution, reaching more than 100 million users. Combining Lica’s research orientation with Gamma’s large user network allows both teams to accelerate the deployment of experimental communication features. Gamma CEO Grant Lee highlighted that the company aims to rethink the visual possibilities and interactivity of presentations, while Mehta indicated the research division will focus on tailoring communication styles to diverse audience preferences and goals.

What to Watch Next

Gamma has not yet revealed the specific product releases that will emerge from the research lab. However, the company confirmed plans to explore fluid, multimodal presentations alongside alternative communication formats. Observers will be watching how Lica’s video generation and personalization technology integrates into Gamma’s existing suite, as well as broader consolidation trends within the competitive presentation software sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Lica and when was it established?

Lica was founded in 2023 by Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta.

What did Lica build before the acquisition?

The startup initially developed software to turn screenshots and recordings into presentations and videos, later shifting focus to helping e-commerce companies produce brand-compliant marketing videos.

Who will lead Gamma’s new design research lab?

Lica co-founders Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta will lead the new research division at Gamma.

How much capital had the two companies raised prior to the deal?

Lica raised $4 million from Accel, South Park Commons, and Village Global. Gamma had raised $68 million at a $2.1 billion valuation.

Source: Based on reporting by TechCrunch.