Exclusive: Synaps Raises $3.6M to Build an AI Design Canvas for Architects, Potentially Challenging AutoCAD
April 30, 2026 – 7:31 am
Five months after a beta launch in Tirana—a vibrant hub known for its active architectural scene and ambitious public building projects—the Austrian-Albanian startup Synaps has secured significant traction. With over 60,000 users, hundreds of paying customers, and the support of prominent investors like Plug and Play, Synaps is making waves in the design world.
In November 2025, Synaps introduced its AI-powered design platform to a captivated audience that included renowned architects and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The company’s unique approach combines elements from Figma and Lovable, aiming to revolutionize architectural drawing and rendering with "vibe designing."
What is Synaps Building?
Synaps describes itself as the fusion of Figma and Lovable, applied to architecture. It offers a browser-based, real-time collaborative canvas equipped with a prompt bar that translates natural language descriptions into design outputs. The key features include:
- Vecy AI: A generative vector-based floorplan drawing tool trained on architects’ behavioral patterns, reducing command requirements by 80% and accelerating the drawing process.
- Rendering Engine: Fast 2D, 3D, and video rendering claimed to be 100 to 1,000 times faster than current market solutions, depending on project complexity.
Directly challenging industry giant Autodesk’s AutoCAD, Synaps aims to democratize the design process with potentially disruptive technology.
Funding and Growth
Synaps has raised $3.6 million in pre-seed funding led by Plug and Play, with Fil Rouge Capital joining the cap table. The company’s rapid growth, even during its beta phase, underscores the demand for innovative design tools in the architectural industry.