Moonvalley secured $84 million in new funding from entertainment industry heavyweights, including CAA and Comcast Ventures, positioning the startup as a licensed-data alternative to controversial AI video tools that train on copyrighted content without permission.
The Los Angeles-based company's total funding now reaches $154 million, with backing from General Catalyst, CoreWeave, Khosla Ventures, and Y Combinator. Moonvalley's approach centers on using only licensed training data for its AI video generation model, directly addressing the legal and ethical concerns plaguing the industry.
The company recently launched its flagship product, Marey, which it describes as the industry's first production-grade AI video platform built specifically for professional filmmakers and studios.
VP Land sat down with Moonvalley co-founder Bryn Mooser to talk about Marey and its approach to ethical AI video generation.
Rights-Cleared Revolution: Hollywood's bet on legally compliant AI signals a shift toward sustainable creative technology adoption
The entertainment industry's investment in Moonvalley reflects growing concerns about AI companies training models on copyrighted content without consent. Traditional AI video tools have faced multiple lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny for their data sourcing practices.
Moonvalley's strict adherence to licensed content sets it apart in an overcrowded market that includes competitors like Runway, Luma, Genmo, and Pika. The company works with its filmmaking division, Asteria, to develop tools that deliver what they call "cinematic quality, creative control and commercial-ready outputs."
Key features of the Marey platform include:
Customizable HD video generation up to 30 seconds in length
Fine-grained controls for camera angles, motion, and scene configurations
Professional-grade output designed for studio and enterprise use
Legal risk mitigation through exclusive use of rights-cleared training data
Strategic Partnerships: CAA and Comcast investments provide direct pipeline to Hollywood's creative community
The involvement of Creative Artists Agency and Comcast Ventures extends beyond financial backing. These strategic partnerships give Moonvalley direct access to major studios, talent agencies, and content creators who have been hesitant to adopt AI tools due to copyright concerns.
"Ethically led and talent-friendly applications of AI are a top priority for CAA," said Alexandra Shannon, the agency's head of strategic development. "We see an opportunity with these emerging tools and technologies, and having a set of partners who are aligned in the ethics behind AI is critical."
Comcast Ventures' participation signals broader media industry confidence in Moonvalley's approach. Managing partner Allison Goldberg emphasized the company's combination of "technical excellence with respect for content creators" as aligning with how they think about innovation in the industry.
The company's team includes alumni from Google DeepMind, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, Disney and DreamWorks, bringing both technical expertise and entertainment industry experience to their development process.
Production Pipeline Integration: New funding targets enterprise features and API access for studio workflows.
Moonvalley plans to use the fresh capital to expand beyond its current consumer-facing platform into enterprise-grade deployments. The company is developing API access for internal platform teams and building features specifically requested by studio and enterprise partners.
The funding will support scaling the Marey system and expanding Moonvalley's licensed content library. This expansion aims to provide studios with a broader range of training data while maintaining the company's commitment to rights-cleared content.
CEO and co-founder Naeem Talukdar emphasized the company's positioning: "This funding proves you don't have to choose between powerful technology and responsible development. We're building world-class models while respecting the creative community, and these partners will help us give studios and creators a real alternative to unlicensed models."
Current applications for the platform include:
Previsualization and storyboarding for film and television projects
Creative iteration for rapid prototyping of scenes and camera movements
Cost-efficient content creation for brands and digital marketers
Copyright-safe video generation for independent creators
The Final Cut: Legal compliance becomes competitive advantage as entertainment industry demands responsible AI development
Moonvalley's substantial funding round demonstrates that ethical AI development isn't just good practice—it's becoming essential for market access in entertainment. The company's licensed-data approach addresses fundamental concerns about AI's impact on creative rights while providing professional-grade tools for studios and filmmakers.
As the generative video space continues to evolve rapidly, Moonvalley's strategic positioning with major industry players suggests that responsible AI development will increasingly become a prerequisite for success in entertainment technology. The company's focus on creator empowerment rather than replacement aligns with Hollywood's cautious but growing embrace of AI tools.
With enterprise features and API access in development, Moonvalley is positioning itself to become the go-to platform for studios seeking powerful AI video generation without the legal risks associated with unlicensed alternatives.
