Gamma, the AI-powered presentation startup, has acquired Lica, a design-focused company backed by Accel, to expand its research capabilities in visual communication. Lica, founded in 2023 by Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta, initially developed an app for converting screenshots and recordings into presentations and videos. After securing $4 million in funding from investors including Accel and South Park Commons, Lica shifted its focus toward creating marketing videos for e-commerce, emphasizing adherence to brand standards.

The acquisition allows Gamma to establish a new design research lab led by Lica’s co-founders, who share Gamma’s vision of simplifying visual communication. Gamma, which has grown its user base to over 100 million, aims not only to enhance presentation building but also to innovate across various forms of communication. CEO Grant Lee highlighted the company’s ambition to rethink presentation formats, interactivity, and visual possibilities as part of broadening how people engage with content.

Lica’s team plans to work on personalizing AI-generated presentation styles for diverse audiences, aiming to improve both the content and its delivery. This effort reflects a focus on customizing communication tools to effectively convey complex goals while offering straightforward editing options tailored to different viewers. Although specific products from the acquisition have not been announced, Gamma is exploring multimodal, fluid presentation formats enabled by AI advancements.

The deal takes place amid a surge of investor interest in AI-driven presentation platforms, with companies like Prezent, Presentations.ai, and OpenAI's recent acquisition of NextSlide also making waves. Gamma previously raised $68 million at a $2.1 billion valuation, underscoring the strategic importance and growth potential of AI tools that transform how businesses and individuals communicate their ideas visually.