This article is a part of Poland Unpacked. Weekly intelligence for decision-makers
Ludus AI announced that it had raised capital for growth. At the end of 2025, the company secured PLN 4.5 million from two funds supported by PFR Ventures programs – Hard2Beat (H2B) and 24Ventures – as well as from Hartmann Capital and Artificial Agency.
Artificial intelligence and game production
The company launched the first version of its solution, attracting around 26,000 users. The investment capital will allow it to further develop the tool and expand sales efforts.
“We are creating a set of AI tools that integrate with Unreal Engine, one of the largest engines used in game development. By applying artificial intelligence, our toolkit accelerates work in Unreal Engine. Our tools enable code editing, automate the creation of 3D models, and handle game logic – its flow, rules, and mechanics. They are also effective for quickly detecting and correcting errors in code or game logic, as well as for prototyping. Compared with existing workflows, we estimate that using Ludus AI reduces developers’ work time by about 30%,” says Piotr Penar, founder and CEO of Ludus AI.
Users are primarily game developers, as well as students learning Unreal Engine. The company’s experience so far indicates that its tools can also be adapted by programmers in other sectors – for example, automotive (designing car display functionalities), advertising, film, and defense (visual training systems for armies or drone operators).
The domestic gaming market grows increasingly challenging
The CEO of Ludus AI acknowledges that after the gaming market boom fueled by the pandemic, a slowdown set in – consumer enthusiasm declined, and with it, company revenues. Firms backed by external capital struggled to meet investor expectations, which remained high. Many game studios did not survive, particularly as the pool of available VC funding has shrunk in recent years. The situation is now slowly returning to normal.
“After closing my own game studio, DreamStorm Studios, I worked, for example, with Anshar Studios on implementing AI projects. In 2024, however, I decided to focus on a new venture – Ludus AI. Shortly afterward, the company completed a pre-seed round and secured a grant—around PLN 1 million in total for team and product development. Participation in the Concordia Design accelerator and the contacts made there later enabled us to raise the current seed round,” says Piotr Penar.
Investor's perspective
VC investors are counting on a market rebound
What attracted investors to Ludus AI?
Investor Maciej Frankowicz, managing partner at Hard2Beat, points out that Ludus AI offers a solution to a global challenge: the growing complexity of Unreal Engine coupled with a shortage of specialists in the market.
Another factor influencing the investment decision was the founder’s extensive experience in the game development sector.
“The founder demonstrated determination, business and industry knowledge, and the ability to inspire both individual programmers and large companies with the Ludus idea. Other typical VC evaluation criteria, including global potential, were also strong,” adds Stanisław Rogoziński, managing partner at 24Ventures.
Both funds are backed by capital from PFR Ventures. In practice, investments by funds from the PFR family are not uncommon.
Joint participation of VC funds in investment rounds
“Since early 2020, we have recorded nearly 75 rounds in which at least two funds using PFR Ventures capital were simultaneously involved. We are seeing many more transactions structured this way among teams leveraging funds from the European Funds for the Modern Economy.
In the transaction under discussion, Hard2Beat also invested alongside Digital Ocean Ventures and iif.vc. This approach allows companies to access larger amounts of funding from the funds and enhances the diversity of the know-how provided,” says Rozalia Urbanek, board member for investments at PFR Ventures.
Key Takeaways
- Joint investments by multiple funds using PFR Ventures capital are becoming increasingly common, particularly through the European Funds for the Modern Economy. This structure allows companies to access larger capital and a more diverse range of know-how. As Rozalia Urbanek, board member for investments at PFR Ventures, notes, what matters most for companies is not the public fund structure within the VCs, but the effectiveness of the financing round.
- Ludus AI develops AI tools integrated with Unreal Engine that accelerate game developers’ workflows, including code editing, 3D model creation, game logic, and prototyping. According to the company, the tools reduce development time by around 30% and already have approximately 26,000 users.
- The company secured significant funding for further growth – in December 2025, it raised PLN 4.5 million in a seed round from VC funds, including Hard2Beat and 24Ventures, supported by PFR Ventures. The investment is intended to support product development and expand sales. Investors see the project as having strong potential for global scaling.