About Shaders
Shader Effects Inc makes Shaders, a library of WebGPU shader components for Vue, React, Svelte, Solid and plain JavaScript. A free design editor lets users stack, blend, mask and transform layers into effects without writing code. Users can import their own images, videos and SVG files and turn them into interactive shaders. Exporting code from the editor is free.
The rendering engine, components and framework bindings are open source under the MIT license as of October 6, 2026. A paid Pro tier adds more than 1,000 pro-grade shaders, 55+ ready-made sections, watermark-free video and image rendering, and priority support. Shaders v3 came out on July 14, 2026, Sections on July 20, and a command-line tool on September 28. More than 19,000 design engineers use the components. Simon Le Marchant is the founder and chief executive officer, and the company is based in Winter Garden, Florida.
Funding Rounds (SEC Form D)
| First sale | Filed with SEC | Amount sold | Investors | Avg. check | Terms | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2025 | Nov 6, 2026 | $29,000of $350K target | 7 | $4,143 | Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE)Rule 506(b) | Form D ↗ |
First sale is the date the first investor in the offering committed to invest. Companies must file Form D within 15 days of that date, so filing dates run later.
Why Investors Backed Shaders
Shaders packages GPU shader effects as ready-made web components and a visual editor. The founder's goal is to let design engineers add these effects without learning graphics programming. The core library became open source in October 2026, with a paid Pro tier on top. More than 19,000 design engineers use the components.
The problem it targets
Simon Le Marchant describes the original vision for Shaders as making creative shader effects reachable for design engineers who are not graphics programmers. Instead of writing raw shader code, users start from components that have already been tested in production. The editor adds a second path: users stack and blend layers visually and export the result.
What the product does
Users design an effect in the editor, then export it as code. The command-line tool connects a project to a Shaders account. Running npx shaders install writes each saved shader into the codebase as a component file. Running npx shaders update pulls later editor changes into that file, and files edited by hand are not overwritten. Sections are complete website blocks, such as a hero or pricing block. Users preview them live, then paste a generated prompt into an AI agent. The tool also installs an MCP server into coding agents.
Progress so far
Shaders v3 shipped on July 14, 2026, with a redesigned editor and a lightweight TypeGPU rendering engine. Sections launched on July 20 with more than 40 entries, and the Pro tier now lists 55+. The command-line tool followed on September 28. On October 6, the engine, components and bindings went open source under the MIT license, and code export became free. Earlier Core subscribers received Pro benefits at no cost.
How the market is moving
Le Marchant's view is that AI is making shaders easier to create, and that this makes an open foundation more valuable, not less. The product is built with AI agents in mind. Sections produce a prompt for an agent, and the command-line tool can install an MCP server into coding agents.
We wrote this summary from public statements by Shaders and its investors. It is not investment advice.
Shaders in the News
Leadership Team
Executive officers and directors listed on Shaders's Form D filed Nov 6, 2026.