World model maker Odyssey nabs $1.45B valuation backed by Amazon and other big names

Odyssey, an innovative startup specializing in world model artificial intelligence, has successfully completed a Series B funding round, raising $310 million and reaching a remarkable valuation of $1.45 billion. This funding round was spearheaded by Natural Capital, with participation from prominent investors including Amazon, AMD Ventures, and GV. Founded by leaders in the self-driving vehicle sector, CEO Oliver Cameron and CTO Jeff Hawke, Odyssey is at the forefront of a new wave in AI, moving beyond traditional text and chat-based models. Their world models utilize real-world data to create simulations grounded in accurate physics. Notably, the company has adopted a method akin to that used by Google Earth, employing individuals equipped with cameras to gather visual data from various environments. Cameron, who previously co-founded autonomous vehicle startup Voyage—which was later acquired by GM’s Cruise—brings invaluable experience to the table, as does Hawke, a former engineer at the UK startup Wayve. Since its inception in 2023, Odyssey has developed a variety of world models applicable to diverse fields, including game development and robotics. One of its standout offerings is the ability to generate rich, interactive visual content from simple text prompts. With Amazon's support, Odyssey has designated AWS as its preferred cloud service provider and plans to enhance its models for optimal performance on AWS's Trainium chips, which compete with Nvidia's offerings. Alongside venture capitalists, the startup has also attracted a stellar lineup of angel investors, including industry luminaries like Jeff Dean, Elad Gil, Garry Tan, Guillermo Rauch, and Kyle Vogt, the founder of Cruise. To date, Odyssey has raised a total of $337 million, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.