# Physna

> Physna is a geometric deep-learning company that does for 3D models and physical objects what Google did for text: it lets machines actually understand shape. Its proprietary technology codifies the geometry of any 3D model into searchable, comparable data, powering both an enterprise platform used by Fortune 500 manufacturers and government agencies, and Thangs, a free public 3D search engine and creator community that has grown to tens of millions of monthly users. Founded in 2015 in Ohio and backed by Sequoia, Tiger Global, GV and Drive Capital with more than $86M raised, Physna turns the physical world into something a computer can search, match and protect.

- **Founded:** 2015
- **Headquarters:** Columbus, Ohio, United States
- **Founders:** Paul Powers (Co-Founder & CEO), Glenn Warner Jr. (Co-Founder & CTO (deceased 2019))
- **Team size:** Approximately 28-50 employees (estimates vary by source)
- **Products:** Physna (Enterprise), Thangs, Instant AR (Thangs)
- **Notable:** Built the first 3D search engine based purely on geometry rather than metadata or file names, Raised more than $86M from Sequoia, Tiger Global, GV and Drive Capital, Grew Thangs to more than 20 million monthly active users

## Products & services

- **Physna (Enterprise)** — A geometric deep-learning platform that codifies 3D models into searchable, comparable data for engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, IP protection and 3D machine learning. Used by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense.
- **Thangs** — A free public geometric search engine and 3D creator community. Users search models by geometry rather than file names or tags, collaborate on designs, protect their IP and monetize work. Grew to tens of millions of monthly active users.
- **Instant AR (Thangs)** — A feature that instantly converts 3D models on Thangs into augmented-reality formats, letting users place any model into a real-world environment via a smartphone camera.

## Achievements

- Built the first 3D search engine based purely on geometry rather than metadata or file names
- Raised more than $86M from Sequoia, Tiger Global, GV and Drive Capital
- Grew Thangs to more than 20 million monthly active users
- Signed Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Department of Defense as enterprise customers
- Widely described in press as the 'Google of 3D' / 'Google of the physical world'

## Latest updates

- **2021-07** — Raised $56M led by Tiger Global with GV and Sequoia; launched Instant AR for Thangs, bringing total funding past $86M.
- **2021-01** — Raised $20M Series B led by Sequoia Capital; Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire joined the board.
- **2024-07** — Thangs reported surpassing 20 million monthly active users for its 3D creator community.

## Links

- Website: https://physna.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/physna
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Physna3D
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/physna/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/physna
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-13