Rayon Raises €10M for AI-Infused Interior Design Software

Paris-based Rayon, a pioneer in browser-based drawing software tailored for interior designers, has successfully closed a €10 million Series A funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Partech, with significant participation from existing backers including Northzone, Foundamental, and Seedcamp. This capital infusion arrives as Rayon celebrates a milestone, having facilitated the creation of over 4 million drawings on its platform, underscoring its growing traction in a sector historically underserved by specialized digital tools.

The newly acquired funds are earmarked for three strategic initiatives: the development and launch of 3D capabilities, the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the design workflow, and the expansion of Rayon's market reach. This move positions Rayon to address a critical gap identified by investors. As Réza Malekzadeh, General Partner at Partech, noted, "Interior design has been underserved by software for decades, and Rayon is the first team we've seen build the design layer this space actually needed rather than retrofitting tools made for architecture." He further emphasized the unique opportunity presented by pairing this foundational design layer with AI at this juncture.

Rayon's approach centers on creating an intuitive interface that bridges the gap between emerging AI capabilities and the practical needs of designers. Unlike generic AI tools, Rayon is embedding intelligence directly into the drawing process, ensuring that AI-generated outputs remain grounded and editable within the project context. This focus on precision and control is crucial for translating AI's potential from impressive demonstrations to genuinely useful design assistance. The company has dedicated five years to refining this core functionality, aiming to empower designers with tools that enhance, rather than complicate, their creative process.

The funding also supports the rollout of new features designed to democratize access to sophisticated design capabilities. These include a mobile-first application, an enhanced presentation mode for client interactions, and an expanded template library. These advancements are particularly relevant in the context of the nearly €50 billion global interior design market, which has long awaited digital solutions that match its specific demands. As Stanislas Chaillou, co-founder & COO/CPO of Rayon, stated, "Interior design needs its own approach to AI, not a borrowed one. We're building ours directly into the drawing experience."

Industry veterans recognize the significance of Rayon's mission. Michiel Kotting, Partner at Northzone, commented, "Architecture and design have long been laggards when it comes to adoption of new technologies, and the sectors have yet to catch up with the rate of advancement in AI. Rayon is changing that, building specifically for the needs of interior designers and surpassing what is possible with traditional CAD software." Rayon's platform consolidates drawings, data, and specifications into a single, browser-based environment, enabling real-time collaboration and eliminating the need for separate document management. The upcoming introduction of 3D functionality will further unify the design process within this single ecosystem.

Bastien Dolla, co-founder & CEO of Rayon, highlighted the user experience, noting, "Our superpower is to make professional-grade CAD software approachable." The software is specifically engineered for interior and experiential projects, offering features that streamline the end-to-end design process, from initial concept to final execution. Its adoption by diverse entities, from large operators like Virgin Atlantic for airport lounge design to smaller studios like Nolt Mathis (which transitioned from a 15-year legacy CAD subscription), demonstrates its versatility and effectiveness. Companies such as CityHub and Coloc Housing have reported significant cost savings, with CityHub saving €10,000 monthly and Coloc Housing reducing feasibility costs by €11,000 monthly.

With this new funding, Rayon is poised to redefine the role of AI in interior design. The platform's existing features, such as a floor plan vectorizer that converts scanned plans into editable drawings and a tool for generating design blocks from photographs, offer a glimpse into its AI-driven future. The company's vision is to transform AI into a powerful creative asset that elevates the entire design workflow, making sophisticated tools accessible and enhancing productivity for designers worldwide.