First Commit

I’m Luke Ahn, founder and CEO of Claythis, an early-stage startup in the San Francisco Bay Area focused on generative AI for 3D characters, automated rigging, and game-ready assets. We are building at a moment when AI progress feels both exciting and overwhelming, and it’s not always clear what truly matters versus what’s just noise. Too much noise tbh. This blog is my own way of sharing what we’re learning firsthand while building in this environment.

3D creation has always come with friction - modeling, rigging, skinning, retargeting, animation - all powerful, all time-consuming. Our core belief is simple: if characters are born ready to move and integrate directly into production pipelines, creators can spend more time exploring ideas instead of wrestling with technical overhead. GenAI isn’t just about speed; it’s about unlocking iteration and creativity at a different scale.

I will also write about the parts of the journey that don’t show up in flashy demos: fundraising, conversations with VCs, building an early team, and making hard calls with limited information. Of course, from time to time, I won't forget to cover some Korean cultural topics (for those who don't know me. I'm a first generation Korean immigrant in the US). This will not be polished thought leadership at all - it will be closer to an honest working and research log. If you’re building, investing, or curious about where generative AI, 3D, and Korean culture are heading, I hope this is useful.