Relay Ventures to Invest $1.5M in Dark Slope Virtual Production Studio

Toronto-based virtual production and gaming company, Dark Slope, just scored a $1.5 million investment from Relay Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital fund also based in Toronto. Relay Ventures, known for backing companies that ride the wave of rapid tech adoption, is betting big on Dark Slope’s potential in virtual production and immersive gaming—two areas where spatial technologies and AI are shaking up how entertainment gets made.

Dark Slope plans to use this new funding to integrate AI into its virtual production pipeline, boost its original IP creation, and expand awareness of its cutting-edge production sound stages and services. The timing feels right, as demand for advanced digital production is soaring, especially in Canada, where the content financing environment is hot.

This isn’t the only cash infusion for Dark Slope recently. With a previously announced investment from SideFX Software—renowned for its industry-leading 3D animation and VFX tools—the total amount raised in this round comes to a solid $3 million. SideFX’s backing has already helped Dark Slope develop a massive new 35,000-square-foot virtual production studio, complete with two custom-built sound stages and one of the largest LED volumes in North America.

Raja Khanna, Dark Slope’s executive chair, is pumped about the partnership. "With Relay’s track record in supporting tech and media growth, and SideFX’s deep VFX expertise, we feel like Dark Slope is positioned perfectly for the next phase of our journey," he said. "This funding will allow us to ramp up our capabilities, especially in virtual production, where we see huge potential to not only serve the industry but also create original content."

Relay Ventures’ co-founder and general partner, John Albright, echoed that enthusiasm. “We’ve worked with Raja before and are thrilled to team up again. Dark Slope’s innovative tech, top-tier facilities, and focus on owning IP give them a solid edge for growth in both the production and gaming worlds.”

It’s clear that Dark Slope is making all the right moves to take advantage of the moment, capitalizing on the booming demand for advanced virtual production as the entertainment industry rapidly evolves.