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Overworld, a Providence-based startup, has secured $4.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Kindred Ventures to advance its local-first diffusion world models technology. The funding will support the development of AI-native systems that create interactive digital environments on-device, reducing latency and environmental impact. Co-founded by CEO Louis Castricato and Chief Science Officer Shahbuland Matiana, Overworld aims to enhance real-time AI capabilities on standard consumer hardware.