As AI-generated content continues to spark copyright disputes, some startups are taking a different approach—training their models exclusively on licensed data. One of these is Bria, a New York and Tel Aviv-based company that focuses on ethical AI image generation.
Founded in 2023 by Yair Adato and Assa Eldar, Bria distinguishes itself by partnering with 20 image providers, including Getty Images, to create its AI models. Unlike many competitors that rely on publicly scraped datasets, Bria ensures that image creators receive compensation for their contributions.
Bria’s AI models are built on a foundation of one billion images and millions of videos, according to CEO Yair Adato. He emphasized that Bria not only ensures compliance with copyright laws but also mitigates biases that often emerge in AI-generated visuals. By using globally diverse datasets, Bria aims to generate content that accurately represents different demographics and cultural perspectives.
“Our models consistently produce visuals that reflect diversity,” Adato told TechCrunch. “This makes them well-suited for a wide range of creative applications.”
Expanding AI Capabilities Beyond Images with Licensed Data
Bria’s platform offers integrations with Photoshop, Figma, and other design tools, allowing users to edit and generate images seamlessly. Additionally, Bria provides a fine-tuning API, enabling businesses to customize AI models with their own brand assets. The company offers 30+ specialized APIs for image creation and modification, available via subscription and usage-based pricing.
Adato emphasized that enterprise clients retain ownership of their data and AI-generated outputs. Companies can also license Bria’s source code to develop their own proprietary models.
Bria’s commitment to ethical AI has positioned it as a frontrunner in the licensed media generation space, alongside companies like Adobe, Spawning AI, and Shutterstock. The company recently secured $40 million in Series B funding, led by Red Dot Capital with participation from Maor Investment, Entrée Capital, GFT Ventures, Intel Capital, and In-Venture. This brings Bria’s total funding to $65 million.
Most of the new funding will be allocated to product development and market expansion. Bria is growing rapidly, with 40 enterprise customers and an annual revenue increase of over 400% last year. The company plans to double its workforce by the end of the year, hiring AI researchers, engineers specializing in music and video, global sales leaders, and IP law experts.
Beyond image generation, Bria aims to create a broader intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. The company envisions a future where businesses can access licensed data from media conglomerates, ensuring compliance while fostering AI-driven creativity. Future expansion plans include adding video, music, and text generation capabilities to its AI platform.
Despite economic challenges affecting the broader tech industry, Bria’s ethical AI approach has helped it thrive. While many AI startups face scrutiny over data sourcing and copyright infringement claims, Bria has positioned itself as a responsible leader in AI-generated media, setting a new standard for fair compensation and compliance.
