Apple acquires Israeli 3D avatar startup TrueMeeting

Apple has acquired the Israeli company TrueMeeting earlier this year for an undisclosed amount, according to the Israeli Competition Authority.

The acquisition received official approval in January 2025.

TrueMeeting, previously known as CommonGround AI, specializes in technology that creates 3D avatars in real-time by scanning users’ faces with smartphones.

This technology can be used in various video applications.

The company was founded by Amir Bassan-Eskenazi and Rani Oz and has raised around US$45 million to date, with investors including Grove Ventures and Matrix Partners.

This acquisition continues Apple’s trend of integrating Israeli technology into its operations.

🔗 Source: Calcalist

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Apple’s consistent pattern of Israeli tech acquisitions builds spatial computing foundation

The TrueMeeting acquisition continues Apple’s strategic approach of acquiring Israeli technology companies to build its spatial computing capabilities.

Since 2011, Apple has completed six major Israeli acquisitions, including Anobit Technologies for $400 million (2011) and PrimeSense for $345 million (2013), which provided the 3D sensing foundation eventually used in FaceID and the Vision Pro headset 1.

These acquisitions demonstrate Apple’s focus on targeting companies with specialized hardware-software integration expertise, particularly in areas like 3D sensing, computational photography, and now avatar creation.

This approach has allowed Apple to establish development centers in Israel through acquisitions, integrating specialized technical talent that would be difficult to assemble through traditional hiring processes.

TrueMeeting’s technology specifically addresses the “uncanny valley” problem with digital avatars, potentially improving the realism of Apple Vision Pro’s “Personas” feature, which has been criticized for its artificial appearance 1.

2️⃣ Tech giants increasingly prioritize AI monitoring alongside generative capabilities

The simultaneous acquisition of WhyLabs alongside TrueMeeting demonstrates Apple’s recognition that AI monitoring is as crucial as generative capabilities in delivering reliable AI products.