Generative AI is revolutionizing content creation, making it simpler to generate vast amounts of material while simultaneously complicating the process of organizing it. To tackle the growing challenge of content management, major tech players like Adobe, Apple, and Google, along with numerous startups, are deploying AI technologies to enhance searchability for various types of files. However, it remains uncertain if this will lead to the emergence of a brand new category of standalone software, or if it will become an integrated feature within existing applications.
One startup, Clipto, is confident in the potential for a distinct product within this space. Based in San Francisco with teams also located in Singapore and Hong Kong, Clipto recently secured $15 million in an all-equity funding round, bringing its post-money valuation to $250 million. Key investors include HSG (previously Sequoia China), GL Ventures, EnvisionX Capital, Palm Drive Capital, along with prominent figures like Hans Tung, Lu Zhang, and 522 Ventures.
Clipto provides a solution for indexing videos, audio files, images, meetings, and other documents stored on a user's device. Instead of spending time sifting through multiple folders, users can simply describe what they are looking for or utilize AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to help locate the desired files.
Founder Henry Kang has extensive experience addressing related issues, having worked in the field for nearly 20 years. While pursuing his PhD at Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, he engaged in robotics projects that allowed machines to record their environments, recognize objects, and navigate to them. He subsequently used similar principles in his first startup, which helped users manage their wardrobe through AI. His second venture, Zenvideo, was aimed at simplifying video creation and was acquired by Tencent in 2020.
Kang notes, "The real insight is that in this AI era, we don’t have a content shortage. In fact, we are facing the opposite problem: an overwhelming amount of content, particularly video files that often go underutilized."
Founded in 2023, Clipto came together with a core team from Kang's previous startup, focusing on the premise of assisting users in locating and repurposing existing files rather than generating new content. Initially tailored for video creators managing dispersed footage, the user base has diversified to include professionals across various fields such as law, medicine, research, marketing, human resources, academia, and more.
Since its launch, Clipto claims to have reached over 30 million users and has attracted hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers. Although Kang refrained from disclosing specific subscriber figures or average revenue per customer, he mentioned that a notable portion of users has maintained their subscriptions for over two years.
By early 2026, Clipto achieved an annual recurring revenue of $15 million and has reported profitability on a net income basis, with a workforce of over 20 spread across the San Francisco Bay Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Recently, Clipto introduced support for Model Context Protocol (MCP), a framework that facilitates AI applications in accessing external information sources. According to Kang, the retrieval of indexed files by an AI application requires explicit user permission, ensuring that the information accessed remains within the user's specified parameters. Notably, all processing occurs locally on the user's device without reliance on cloud infrastructure.
As Clipto enters a competitive landscape dominated by larger firms that currently hold significant influence over data management solutions, it's essential to note that Adobe, for example, integrates AI search features within its Premiere software, while both Apple Photos and Google Photos enable users to locate images and videos via natural language queries.
Kang asserts that Clipto's offerings allow for searching through a wider range of content types, including videos, audio files, images, and documents, whereas the solutions from Adobe, Apple, and Google typically restrict searches to their own ecosystems. Clipto also empowers users to make selected data accessible to AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, positioning it to compete effectively against larger established platforms.
The latest round of funding will support the development of AI models and the computing infrastructure essential for optimizing Clipto's performance on consumer devices, alongside fostering integrations with a wider array of AI agents.
