Second Life Secures Tens of Millions RMB (~$13 Million) Funding for 3D Printed Figurine + AI Companion Model

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May 12, 2026 News 9909

China's pop culture collectibles brand Second Life has recently completed a new round of funding in the tens of millions of Chinese yuan (approx. US 1.3milliontoUS13 million) from a private investor.

The funds will be directed toward the iterative development of full-color 3D printers and the construction of a world model AI.

Founded in 2018, the company leverages a 3D printing laboratory led by Academician Lu Bingheng and an AI algorithm center directed by Dr. Nan Zheng. Pioneering the concept of “anything can be 3D printed,” Second Life has established a fully closed-loop process covering "AI generation - 3D printing - cloud datafication of all items," offering 3D printing services for human and pet figurines, architectural models, branded IP merchandise, and more. Prior to this round, the company had completed three financing rounds, with participation from investors including Daosheng Capital and Nano Labs.

Second Life's core model is not simply about selling physical figurines; it integrates 3D printing with AI companionship. The AI companion “grows” through continuous user interactions, unlocking new content and features. Each interaction strengthens the emotional bond, and the sense of accomplishment from nurturing the AI drives users toward sustained spending — effectively transforming a one-time purchase into an ongoing relationship.

This path represents a new direction for the collectibles market: the fusion of 3D printing with AI to create a "virtual-real integrated" experience that conventional manufacturing cannot achieve. In contrast to the IP-driven model exemplified by Pop Mart, Second Life is exploring what else can keep users engaged beyond IP. The answer may be: making collectibles no longer just “displayed on shelves,” but “living inside an app.”

This new force in the collectibles sector is emerging from Hangzhou.