Exactly.ai, a London-based startup founded in 2022 by former journalist Tonia Samsonova, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to expand its artist-centric approach to AI image generation. The platform allows artists to train AI models on their own artwork, enabling them to retain copyright, generate new pieces in their distinct style, and monetize their work. This innovative approach ensures that artists maintain ownership over both their original work and the AI-generated images, facilitating faster workflows and scalable reproduction of their designs.
Exactly.ai’s technology requires artists to upload at least ten high-quality examples of their artwork paired with textual descriptions. The AI then generates images imitating the style of the provided artwork. This process empowers artists by enhancing their productivity and enabling them to produce large volumes of work while retaining creative control and copyright. The platform operates on several transparent principles, including the stipulation that all uploaded content, trained models, and generated outputs belong to the artists. Additionally, rights to images generated by someone else’s models can be obtained directly from the model owner, bypassing the need for the platform to act as a licensing intermediary.
The company offers a subscription-based service with three tiers: a free tier allowing three models and 25 public generations at 1080×1080 resolution, a $200 per month Standard tier with five models and 250 monthly generations at up to 4K resolution, and a $400 per month Pro tier with unlimited models and generations. This business model enables artists to scale their output and income, catering to a niche market not fully addressed by traditional freelance platforms.
The seed funding round was led by Speedinvest, with support from InReach Ventures, Cornerstone VC, GuruDev Capital, and various angel investors. The funds will be used to hire new talent, increase outreach to artists and creative professionals, and improve the platform’s AI model, which combines the foundational model from Picsart with Exactly.ai’s proprietary algorithms. The startup has already amassed 30,000 registered users and aims to further revolutionize the way artists create, distribute, and monetize their work.
The global generative AI market is projected to be worth $668 billion by 2030, and Exactly.ai aims to be at the forefront of its adoption among creative communities. The platform’s approach to integrating AI into the artistic process represents a significant step forward in the collaboration between technology and the arts. By providing artists with tools to harness AI while retaining their creative rights, Exactly.ai is poised to redefine the landscape of digital art and its commercial potential.