The Simulation
Category: Generative Media (Image / Video)
An AI-powered platform that allows users to create and watch original animated TV show episodes generated from text prompts. The Simulation was founded in 2018. The company is led by Edward Saatchi. Based in San Francisco, California, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: Undisclosed. Latest round: Seed Round. Key investors include Amazon's Alexa Fund, Day One Ventures, 8VC, Greycroft.
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- Undisclosed
Value proposition
Enables users to transform text prompts into entire animated TV episodes, democratizing animation production and storytelling.
Products and solutions
Showrunner Platform, The Simulation core technology, SHOW-2 (multi-agent AI model), Exit Valley (original AI-generated series)
Unique value
Showrunner uniquely generates full multi-scene episodes from single text prompts, integrating scriptwriting, character creation, voice, animation, and editing in one system.
Target customer
Content creators, animators, storytellers, and entertainment studios interested in AI-generated animated content.
Industries served
Entertainment, Animation, Streaming Media, Generative AI
Technology advantage
The proprietary multi-agent AI system coordinates specialized AI components (writer, director, animator) to produce coherent episodes, enabling scalable user-generated content and potential IP partnerships.
How they differentiate
Focused on generating entire animated TV show episodes from text prompts with narrative depth and user interactivity, distinguishing itself from short video AI generators.
Main competitors
Runway, Pika Labs, Stability AI
Key partnerships
Amazon's Alexa Fund
Notable customers
Currently individual creators and early adopters in alpha testing phase; no public enterprise customers.
Major milestones
Produced viral AI-generated 'South Park' style episodes in 2023, Secured investment from Amazon's Alexa Fund, Launched Showrunner alpha platform in 2024, Released first original interactive AI series 'Exit Valley', Public launch of Showrunner platform (Jul 30, 2025), Announced SHOW-2 model powering the platform
Growth metrics
Waitlist of 50,000 before alpha launch; AI-generated parody episodes viewed over 80 million times.
Market positioning
Emerging leader in AI-generated interactive entertainment, targeting creators and studios to democratize episodic animation.
Geographic focus
Based in San Francisco, USA with primary market focus on North America but accessible globally online.
Patents and IP
No public patent records; proprietary technology detailed in published SHOW-1 research papers.
About Edward Saatchi
Producer at Oculus Story Studio, Co-founder of NationalField
More Generative Media (Image / Video) companies
Official website: https://www.showrunner.xyz/
