Hey there! If you’re following the latest trends in AI video technology, you’ll be interested to know that Moonvalley, a promising startup from Los Angeles, just secured a hefty $43 million in venture capital. This exciting news came to light through a recent SEC filing, and it follows closely on the heels of their first AI video-generating model, Marey.
Moonvalley’s journey started with $70 million in seed funding from big names like General Catalyst, Khosla Ventures, and Bessemer Ventures. While they’re keeping the exact fundraising figure under wraps for now, a company spokesperson hinted that they’ll share the total amount soon.
With AI video tools becoming more popular, the market’s getting pretty crowded. Startups like Runway and Luma, along with tech giants like Google and OpenAI, are constantly rolling out new models. Moonvalley is standing out by teaming up with Asteria, a rising AI animation studio, to develop Marey. This model isn’t just any tool; it offers unique customization options, including detailed camera and motion controls, and can create high-definition clips up to 30 seconds long.
Now, legal concerns are a big deal in this space. Many companies use public data, which might include copyrighted material, to train their models. Moonvalley is taking a different approach to avoid these pitfalls. They’re working with partners to get proper licenses and buying video datasets. This strategy is similar to what Adobe does with its Adobe Stock platform.
The rise of AI video tech has some artists and creators worried about their jobs, especially in the film and TV industries. A study by the Animation Guild in 2024 suggested that more than 100,000 jobs could be affected by AI by 2026.
To address these concerns, Moonvalley is implementing a policy that lets creators ask for their content to be removed from the company’s models. They’re also offering an indemnity policy to protect users from copyright issues. Plus, they’re setting up safeguards to prevent misuse of their tools, like blocking the creation of videos featuring specific people or inappropriate content, much like OpenAI’s Sora.