Story of Synthesia: Founder and CEO of Victor Riparbelli
Story of Synthesia:
Childhood Sparks
Victor Riparbelli’s story began in Copenhagen, where his
fascination with technology started at a young age. Unlike many kids, Victor
wasn’t just a gamer—he was curious about how systems worked. He even ran a
large World of Warcraft guild, cleverly using a voice filter to sound older
than he really was. This playful mix of curiosity and creativity planted the
seeds of his entrepreneurial journey.
Early Experiments
As a teenager, Victor began building websites and e-commerce
stores for local businesses. Using platforms like Shopify and Squarespace, he
could create professional websites in just a couple of days. His speed and
affordability made him stand out, and this early hustle showed him that
technology could be both fun and profitable.
Academic Foundations
In 2012, Victor enrolled at the IT University of Copenhagen
to study Computer Science and Business Informatics. His studies combined
technology with business, reflecting his dual interests. In 2015, he spent a
semester at Stanford University, where he explored computer science and
management science. This experience exposed him to Silicon Valley’s culture of
bold innovation and global ambition.
First Ventures
While studying, Victor founded RBLI, a digital strategy
consultancy that helped advertising agencies and e-commerce businesses manage
SEO, content, and paid marketing. Soon after, he joined Founders, the largest
startup studio in the Nordics, where he gained experience in growth and product
marketing. This period sharpened his skills in turning ideas into scalable
products.
Exploring Future Tech
Victor’s growing interest in frontier technology led him to
launch Immersive Futures, a consultancy focusing on machine vision, virtual
reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and machine learning. Through this
venture, he collaborated with the UK government to strengthen the VR/AR
industry. This work allowed him to see firsthand how emerging technologies
could transform industries.
Crypto Adventure
In 2017, Victor co-founded Coincall, a platform that helped
users track their crypto portfolios in seconds. Coincall gained traction in the
growing crypto market and was eventually sold in 2019. This exit gave Victor
both financial stability and the confidence to aim even higher in his
entrepreneurial path.
The Birth of Synthesia
The same year, 2017, marked the biggest turning point of
Victor’s career. Together with Professor Matthias Niessner, Professor Lourdes
Agapito, and Steffen Tjerrild, he co-founded Synthesia in London. Their vision
was bold: to build an AI video creation platform that could replace expensive
studios, actors, and cameras with simple text-to-video technology.
Scaling Innovation
Under Victor’s leadership, Synthesia quickly gained
recognition. The platform allowed users to generate professional AI videos in
over 50 languages. It was soon trusted by major organizations like Nike,
Amazon, BBC, and Reuters. By 2021, Synthesia had raised $66 million from
leading investors including Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Mark Cuban, and
the Stripe founders.
Story of Synthesia: Founder & CEO of Victor Riparbelli#startup#entrepreneur #age#net worth#investor#startup AI#Synthesia story#Victor Riparbelli story
Global Recognition
Victor’s impact did not go unnoticed. In 2020, he was named
in Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Europe” list for Technology. By 2024, Synthesia’s
valuation had soared past $2.1 billion, and Victor’s personal net worth was
estimated at £85 million. More than wealth, however, he was celebrated as a
pioneer who made video creation faster, scalable, and more accessible.
Looking Ahead
Today, Victor Riparbelli continues to lead Synthesia with a
focus on responsible and ethical AI. His mission remains clear: to empower
everyone to create video content without the barriers of cost, complexity, or
technical skill. From tinkering with games in Copenhagen to building the
world’s #1 AI video platform, Victor’s journey shows how curiosity,
persistence, and vision can reshape industries and inspire the future of
content creation.
Timeline of Victor Riparbelli’s Journey
- 1990s–2000s
(Childhood in Copenhagen):
Fascinated by computers and games, ran a large World of Warcraft guild using a voice filter, began tinkering with websites. - 2000s–2012
(Teenage Hustle):
Built websites and e-commerce stores for local businesses using Shopify and Squarespace, offered services quickly and affordably. - 2012–2015
(University Education):
Studied Computer Science and Business Informatics at IT University of Copenhagen. - 2015
(Global Exposure):
Attended Stanford University for one semester as part of his degree, focusing on Computer Science and Management Science. - 2014–2016
(Early Ventures):
Founded RBLI, a digital consultancy; later worked at Founders, the Nordic startup studio, gaining growth and product marketing experience. - 2016
(Immersive Futures):
Launched a consultancy specializing in machine vision, VR/AR, and machine learning. Collaborated with the UK government to strengthen VR/AR industries. - 2017–2019
(Coincall):
Co-founded Coincall, a crypto portfolio tracking platform. Sold the venture successfully in 2019. - 2017
(Synthesia Founded):
Co-founded Synthesia in London with Matthias Niessner, Lourdes Agapito, and Steffen Tjerrild to build an AI video creation platform. - 2017–2021
(Growth Years):
Synthesia expanded rapidly, offering AI-generated videos in 50+ languages and gaining global clients like Nike, Amazon, BBC, and Reuters. Raised $66M in funding from top investors. - 2020
(Recognition):
Named in Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Europe” list for Technology. - 2024
(Unicorn Status):
Synthesia valued at $2.1 billion; Victor’s estimated net worth reached £85 million. - 2025
and Beyond (Future Vision):
Continues as CEO of Synthesia, driving ethical and responsible AI video innovation with a mission to make video creation accessible for everyone.
