Nordic startup Studio555 raises €4M to blend gaming and interior design into a playable app for everyone

Nordic tech startup Studio555 has raised €4 million in seed funding to build a new kind of app, one that mixes interior design with the feel of a mobile game. The idea? Make creativity around home decor feel more playful, social, and accessible to people who wouldn’t normally touch design software.

The round is co-led by HOF Capital, a U.S.-based investment firm, and Failup Ventures, with offices in both New York and Helsinki. Some major names from the gaming industry also joined in, including Timo Soininen (Co-founder of Small Giant Games), Mikko Kodisoja (Co-founder of Supercell), and Riccardo Zacconi (Co-founder of King).

Studio555 said it will use the fresh capital infusion to build out the product, expand the team, and prepare for launch in both Europe and the U.S. The app is expected to roll out in 2026.

Studio555 was founded in 2023 by a Swedish-Finnish team with deep roots in both gaming and design. The founding trio—Joel Roos (CEO), Stina Larsson (CTO), and Axel Ullberger (CPO)—bring experience from major players like King, EA, and Rovio. Roos comes from a background in interiors, while Larsson and Ullberger were part of the team behind the success of Candy Crush Saga.

The app they’re building takes a different approach to home design. Instead of complicated tools or traditional software, users are dropped into an interactive space where they can personalize rooms with a few swipes and taps. It’s casual, visual, and doesn’t require any background in design or gaming.

Roos describes the concept like this: “At Studio555, we’re reimagining interior design as something anyone can explore: open-ended, playful, and personal. We’re building an experience we always wished existed: a space where creativity is hands-on, social, and free from rigid rules.”

Larsson, who’s leading engineering, adds: “We know what it takes to build and scale for millions and millions of players. Now we’re applying that same solid engineering mindset—real-time tracking, live insights, and decisions backed by data—to deliver a high-performance creative platform that never compromises on speed or stability.”

Ullberger says the team is “bringing the magic of gaming into a space that’s never truly felt playful before. Our goal is to fully reimagine what an app for interior lovers can be.”

The pitch has clearly resonated with some of gaming’s most successful founders.

“Studio555 brings together top-tier gaming talent and design vision,” said Timo Soininen, investor and Co-founder of Small Giant Games. “This team has built global hits before, and now they’re applying that experience to something completely fresh—think Pinterest in 3D meets TikTok, but for interiors.”

Riccardo Zacconi, Co-founder of King and one of the early backers, emphasized his belief in the people behind the idea: “I’ve always believed in investing in people first. I’m truly excited to be part of this new venture alongside a team I’ve worked with before and deeply respect and love.”

Topias Soininen, General Partner at Failup Ventures, sees this as more than just another design app: “They’re creating a new category: one where creativity, self-expression, and play meet in a completely new way.”

Studio555 isn’t just building a new app—it’s trying to shift how people think about home design. By making it visual, interactive, and easy to pick up, the team is hoping to pull in a broader crowd, from hobbyists and casual gamers to folks who just love interior design but hate the usual tools.