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Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M
United States💻 TechnologyCenter9/4/2026

Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M

Clipto, a San Francisco-based startup, uses artificial intelligence to help users search through large volumes of video, audio, images, and other files stored on their devices. The company, founded in 2023 by Henry Kang, who previously worked on AI-driven solutions for organizing personal items and improving video creation, has achieved a $250 million post-money valuation after raising $15 million in an all-equity round. Clipto's technology allows users to describe what they're searching for or use AI tools like ChatGPT to locate files, addressing the challenge of managing increasing digital content. While initially targeting video creators, Clipto's user base now includes professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and researchers. The company reports over 30 million users and hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers, with annual recurring revenue reaching $15 million by early 2026. Clipto remains profitable on a net-income basis despite having fewer than 20 employees.

XDOF, a startup specializing in collecting real-world teleoperation data for training general-purpose robots, is in late-stage talks for a Series B funding round at a valuation of approximately $1.2 billion, according to multiple sources. Less than three months after emerging from stealth mode, the company is attracting interest from major venture capital firms, with 8VC leading the discussions. The exact amount of capital being raised and the final valuation remain undisclosed, as the terms of the deal are still under negotiation. XDOF was co-founded in 2024 by UC Berkeley researchers Philipp Wu (CEO) and Fred Shentu (CTO). The startup previously secured a $70 million Series A round in June 2026, backed by prominent venture capital firms including Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Lux, and Spark Capital. Although the company had not planned to raise additional capital so soon after its initial funding, its rapid growth, marked by annualized revenue nearing $50 million, has prompted further investor interest. The startup aims to address a key challenge in the field of robotics: the lack of large-scale, high-quality training data. Physical robots, unlike language models, do not benefit from pre-existing datasets, making data collection a critical bottleneck in the development of general-purpose machines. To overcome this, XDOF has developed a system combining remote robot teleoperation with human operators who wear sensors to record detailed movement data during everyday tasks such as folding clothes or flattening boxes. XDOF is collaborating with UC Berkeley's AI Research Lab to release what it claims is the largest collection of high-quality robot training data ever compiled, named ABC. The startup plans to expand its global operations by hiring and training teams of data collectors, including teleoperators who control robots remotely and egocentric operators who gather movement data using wearable sensors. Currently, XDOF reports it is working with 20 customers, including several leading AI research laboratories. Other startups in the space, such as Mecka AI, and established players like Scale AI and Micro1, are also exploring similar approaches to collect real-world data for robot training. Meanwhile, Israeli-Dutch AI startup Wonderful has significantly increased its valuation, rising to $5 billion following a $550 million Series C funding round. The company, founded in early 2025, initially gained traction with its customer service AI agent platform, tailored for non-English-speaking markets. It has since evolved to offer a broader platform known as “Wonderful AI OS,” designed to integrate seamlessly with existing business systems and AI models. Investors Insight Partners, along with existing backers Index Ventures, IVP, Vine Ventures, 9Yards, and Bessemer Venture Partners, participated in the latest round. Salesforce is also joining for the first time. The company now operates across more than 35 countries and continues to rely on its forward-deployed engineering teams to assist clients in integrating its solutions. Andreessen Horowitz has also made headlines by expanding its fifth growth fund to $8.5 billion, adding $1.75 billion since its initial launch in January. The firm recently introduced a new $1.1 billion fund focused on AI hardware startups, reflecting its strategic shift toward supporting innovation in chip technology, memory, networking, and storage. The growth fund is intended to invest in companies scaling products, expanding globally, and enhancing operational capabilities. Additionally, Clipto, a San Francisco-based startup, has achieved a $250 million post-money valuation following a $15 million all-equity funding round. The company leverages AI to enable users to search through vast amounts of video, audio, and image files efficiently. Founded in 2023 by Henry Kang, Clipto builds on earlier ventures that explored AI-driven organization, including a clothing recommendation tool and a video editing platform acquired by Tencent in 2020. Clipto currently serves millions of users, with hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers. The company has demonstrated profitability and continues to grow its user base across diverse industries, including law, medicine, academia, and marketing. Clipto recently integrated support for the Model Context Protocol, allowing secure access to indexed data while maintaining local processing on users' devices.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 6 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 909/4/2026
XDOF, just three months out of stealth, is in talks for a Series B at a $1.2B valuation

XDOF, a startup founded by UC Berkeley researchers Philipp Wu and Fred Shentu in 2024, has entered late-stage discussions for a Series B funding round at a $1.2 billion valuation, led by 8VC. The company, which focuses on collecting real-world teleoperation data for training general-purpose robots, saw rapid growth with annualized revenue nearing $50 million, prompting VC interest. XDOF provides data pipelines, collection tools, and annotation systems for the robotics industry, positioning itself as a competitor to data-labeling firms like Scale AI and Mercor. The startup's technology, developed from academic research into robot learning, includes a low-cost teleoperation system called GELLO and partnerships with UC Berkeley's AI Research Lab to create extensive robot training data. XDOF currently works with 20 customers, including frontier AI labs, and plans to expand its global team of data collectors.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a private-sector startup's fundraising activity and technological development without overtly partisan language or ideological framing. It discusses market trends, investor interest, and technical advancements without taking a clear stance on political,

Why factuality (85): The article reports on XDOF's potential Series B round based on reliable sources, including the valuation and participation from known venture capital firms. It provides details about the company's background, founding team, and recent financial performance. However, it does not mention the primary

Why objectivity (90): The article presents information in a neutral tone, focusing on factual reporting without apparent bias. It avoids subjective language and sticks to verifiable details about the startup and its fundraising activities.

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 889/2/2026
Wonderful more than doubles its valuation to $5B in under 6 months

Israeli-Dutch AI startup Wonderful has significantly increased its valuation, raising $550 million in a Series C funding round to reach a $5 billion valuation, more than double its previous valuation of $2 billion from six months prior. The funding was led by Insight Partners, with participation from several existing investors including Index Ventures and Salesforce, which is joining for the first time. Founded in early 2025, the company started with a focus on customer service AI platforms but has since expanded to offer a broader AI operating system called 'Wonderful AI OS,' designed to integrate with various AI models and existing enterprise systems. The company emphasizes its approach of deploying engineers directly with clients to facilitate integration and continues to invest in expanding its field deployment teams.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update on a private technology company's fundraising success without overt ideological framing. While the topic involves significant economic growth and technological advancement, there is no explicit political commentary or alignment with specific political ideologies

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details such as the $550 million Series C round, the new $5 billion valuation, and mentions returning investors like Insight Partners and new investor Salesforce. These facts are consistent with what would be expected in a venture capital funding report. However, since

Why objectivity (88): The article presents the information in a largely neutral tone, focusing on the financial figures, investor participation, and company strategy. There is some positive language such as 'blazingly fast' and 'very successful,' but these are descriptive rather than overtly biased. The overall framing r

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 708/31/2026
a16z brings growth fund to $8.5B days after launching new $1.1B fund

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a venture capital firm, has expanded its fifth growth fund to $8.5 billion, adding $1.75 billion since its launch in January 2026. This follows the announcement of a new $1.1 billion 'Machine Age Fund' focused on AI hardware startups. The growth fund targets growth-stage startups in sectors like enterprise AI, defense tech, robotics, and health tech. The firm also increased its total assets under management to $90 billion after raising $15 billion in January. The article notes a16z's significant investment in political activities during an election year.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights a16z's substantial financial commitments to political activities during an election year, which suggests a strategic alignment with progressive interests. While the primary focus is on venture capital investments, the emphasis on political spending indicates a potential left-傾

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that a16z has expanded its fifth growth fund to $8.5B, adding $1.75B since its initial launch. It references the recent $1.1B Machine Age Fund and mentions the firm's focus areas aligned with the primary source document. However, it adds information about political spe

Why objectivity (70): The tone leans slightly toward emphasizing the scale and speed of AI-driven growth, which may reflect a positive bias towards AI trends. The mention of political spending introduces a topic not covered in the primary source, suggesting some editorial emphasis.

RealClearPolitics logoRealClearPoliticsIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 659/1/2026
China Is Building AI Models of American Voters. Why?

The article discusses how Chinese institutions are using data from over 171 million X (formerly Twitter) posts to create detailed AI models of American voters, particularly focusing on simulated swing-state voters. This effort aims to gain insights into voter behavior and preferences, potentially influencing political strategies. The report highlights the extent to which Chinese entities are leveraging social media data for strategic purposes, raising concerns about privacy and geopolitical implications.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Chinese data collection efforts without overtly criticizing or praising the actions. It focuses on describing the phenomenon rather than taking a clear ideological stance. While the issue is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, avoiding a

Why factuality (85): The article cites the scale of data collection (171 million X posts) and suggests Chinese institutions are mapping the American electorate, which aligns with reports from multiple media outlets discussing Chinese efforts to analyze U.S. political behavior through social media. While no primary sourc

Why objectivity (65): The tone leans toward alarmist, using phrases like 'mapping the American electorate in startling detail' which may imply a level of threat not universally agreed upon. The article presents the issue as a significant concern without providing counterpoints or alternative perspectives.

The Nation logoThe NationIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 608/29/2026
Confessions of an AI Editor

This article reflects on the author's experience working at a literary services startup that uses AI tools for editing tasks traditionally performed by human editors. The founder of the company, an editor herself, viewed editing as primarily a matter of selecting content rather than engaging in the creative process. She developed an AI tool designed to handle the 'drudgery' of editing, allowing for quick and efficient processing of texts. The author describes the AI's ability to streamline editing tasks, such as parsing complex paragraphs and producing editorial memos rapidly. However, the article also hints at the ethical and professional implications of relying heavily on AI for such tasks, suggesting a tension between technological efficiency and traditional editorial values.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses the integration of AI in editorial processes within a literary services startup. While it touches on the impact of technology on traditional roles, it does not engage directly with political issues, policies, or figures. The focus is on workplace practices and technological use

Why factuality (75): The article presents a first-person narrative from a fictional perspective, describing the experience of working at a startup where AI replaces human editors. While it does not provide verifiable facts about real-world events or technologies, it aligns with broader discussions around AI in publishin

Why objectivity (60): The tone is subjective and introspective, focusing on personal experience rather than presenting objective analysis. The language suggests a specific viewpoint on AI's role in editing, which may influence the reader's perception.

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 458/31/2026
Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M

Clipto, a San Francisco-based startup, uses artificial intelligence to help users search through large volumes of video, audio, images, and other files stored on their devices. The company, founded in 2023 by Henry Kang, who previously worked on AI-driven solutions for organizing personal items and improving video creation, has achieved a $250 million post-money valuation after raising $15 million in an all-equity round. Clipto's technology allows users to describe what they're searching for or use AI tools like ChatGPT to locate files, addressing the challenge of managing increasing digital content. While initially targeting video creators, Clipto's user base now includes professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and researchers. The company reports over 30 million users and hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers, with annual recurring revenue reaching $15 million by early 2026. Clipto remains profitable on a net-income basis despite having fewer than 20 employees.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual overview of Clipto's technological innovation and business growth without taking a political stance. It discusses advancements in AI-driven file management and the startup's market success, focusing on technical capabilities and financial performance rather than any的政治

Why factuality (65): The article discusses Clipto, a startup using AI for content management, but does not mention Apple Intelligence or the primary source document. It focuses on Clipto's business and technology rather than Apple's announcements. While factual about Clipto's operations, it lacks connection to the prima

Why objectivity (45): The tone is promotional and highlights Clipto's value proposition and funding, suggesting a positive bias towards the startup. It does not present Apple Intelligence or related topics objectively.

Semafor logoSemaforIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 408/28/2026
‘We go big’: Jon Gray on how Blackstone places its AI bets

This article discusses Jon Gray’s strategy at Blackstone regarding investments in artificial intelligence. It highlights Blackstone's approach of making large-scale bets in the AI sector, emphasizing their confidence in the technology's potential. The piece explores how Blackstone identifies opportunities within AI and the scale of their commitments. It provides insight into the firm's strategic decisions and the broader implications for the AI industry.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on technological investment strategies and does not engage with politically charged issues such as government policy, elections, or partisan debates. There is no evident framing that suggests a particular ideological slant.

Why factuality (50): The article lacks any primary source documentation and only presents quotes from Jon Gray without providing context or supporting evidence for Blackstone’s AI strategies. Factuality is limited due to absence of verifiable data and reliance on internal company statements.

Why objectivity (40): The tone is promotional and leans toward enthusiasm for Blackstone’s AI initiatives, suggesting a biased perspective rather than an objective analysis. The language emphasizes strategic confidence without balancing potential risks or criticisms.

The Atlantic logoThe AtlanticIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 40Objective 508/27/2026
Paul Claude Gigot: Why I Am Right About AI

The article titled 'Paul Claude Gigot: Why I Am Right About AI' published by The Atlantic features a piece by Paul Claude Gigot, likely a contributor or columnist, discussing his perspective on artificial intelligence. The content centers around Gigot's arguments in favor of AI, possibly addressing its benefits, potential applications, or challenges. As the article is presented as a personal opinion piece, it reflects Gigot's individual stance rather than a balanced analysis or consensus within the field. The lack of specific details in the provided text suggests that further reading would be necessary to fully understand the scope and depth of his arguments.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents a pro-AI argument, which aligns with perspectives often associated with right-leaning viewpoints that emphasize technological progress and innovation. While the article does not explicitly reference political policies or debates, the framing of AI as a positive force with clear,

Why factuality (40): This article title appears incomplete and no content is available to assess factual claims. Without actual text, it's impossible to evaluate accuracy or alignment with cross-source consensus. The title alone suggests a promotional or opinion-based piece rather than a factual report.

Why objectivity (50): As there is no content to analyze, the objectivity cannot be assessed. However, the title format implies a potential bias toward promoting a particular stance on AI.

Foreign Policy logoForeign PolicyIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 0Objective 08/27/2026
China’s Success Is Forcing a U.S. AI Rethink

The article discusses how China's advancements in artificial intelligence are prompting the United States to reconsider its approach to AI development. It highlights concerns over China's growing capabilities in areas such as machine learning, data processing, and algorithmic innovation. The piece suggests that the U.S. is now facing pressure to invest more heavily in AI research and infrastructure to maintain its competitive edge. It also touches on potential implications for global technological leadership and national security.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames China's AI progress as a challenge to U.S. leadership, implying a need for increased American investment and strategic rethinking. While it presents factual developments, the emphasis on U.S. response and the suggestion of a 'rethink' align with a narrative that positions China as

Why factuality (0): This article discusses China's success in AI forcing a U.S. rethink, which is unrelated to the primary source document about Iranian cyber operations. It does not address the topic at all, making it factually irrelevant.

Why objectivity (0): The article presents a narrative about U.S. policy shifts related to AI and data centers, which is completely disconnected from the subject of Iranian cyber activities. There is no attempt to present multiple perspectives or balance viewpoints.

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