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Artwod, a company based in Antwerp, has raised €1.1 million in Seed funding. The company runs a learning and community platform designed to help visual artists improve their skills and connect with other artists.
Artwod will use the new funding to launch a marketplace for creators, where artists can showcase and sell their work. The company also wants to encourage more artists to take part in its community.
The funding will also help Artwod build stronger relationships with artists and increase their loyalty to the platform. The Seed round was backed by Airbridge Equity Partners and ForsVC.
“As humans, we have always felt compelled to create, through images, music, writing, film and countless other forms. That process is deeply personal. It gives us a sense of purpose, pride and a way to express who we are,” says Antonio Stappaerts, founder and CEO, Artwod.
“Artwod is one of those rare early-stage companies where the numbers and the community tell the same story. Antonio has built a product that genuinely helps people learn to draw, and his community knows it. The enthusiasm and loyalty we see from his users are not manufactured; they are earned, lesson by lesson. That combination of structured learning, authentic creator presence, and exceptional customer satisfaction is exactly the foundation we look for when backing a category-defining platform.” adds Rick van Boekel, Managing Partner Airbridge Equity Partners.
Artwod was founded in 2020 by Antonio Stappaerts, a former Creative Director and professional Concept Artist who has worked with companies such as Ubisoft and Sony Entertainment.
The platform was created based on his own experience of how artists improve their skills — through regular practice, feedback, repetition and clear guidance.
Artwod recently partnered with Wacom, a company known for its digital drawing tablets. The partnership gives digital artists access to personalised feedback, guided exercises and clear recommendations on what they should work on next.
The platform combines ideas from learning and community platforms such as Duolingo and Chess.com. Like Duolingo, Artwod offers short and simple exercises that help artists practise regularly and improve step by step.
Like Chess.com, it also focuses on community participation. Artists can share their work, track their progress, give feedback to others and learn from the community, creating an environment focused on continuous improvement.
