MarqVision Raises $48 Million to Scale AI-Powered Brand Protection Globally
Los Angeles-based MarqVision, an artificial intelligence startup focused on combating brand abuse, announced a $48 million Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $90 million. Founded in 2021, the company leverages AI-powered computer vision technology to detect and prevent counterfeiting and trademark infringements worldwide.
From Harvard Law to AI Entrepreneurship
Mark Lee, MarqVision’s co-founder and CEO, traces the company’s inception back to his time as a Harvard Law student, where a trademark class revealed the vast scale of counterfeiting—a $3 trillion global illicit market representing roughly 8% of worldwide commerce. Lee observed that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this market’s growth by 20% annually as counterfeiters exploited online marketplaces and social media platforms.
Motivated by this challenge, Lee combined his interest in technology with legal insights to create a solution utilizing computer vision, leading to the formation of MarqVision. The company name reflects this dual focus: “Marq” for trademark and “Vision” for computer vision.
Strategic Use of Capital for Growth and Innovation
MarqVision plans to allocate roughly half of the new funds to expanding its AI and engineering teams to accelerate automation and incorporate generative AI across its products. An additional $10 million will be invested in enhancing the platform’s enterprise capabilities to attract larger brand clients, while another $10 million supports geographic expansion, with recent market entries including Japan.
The funding round was led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), with participation from Salesforce Ventures, HSG (formerly Sequoia China), Coral Capital, and Michael Seibel of Y Combinator. Existing investors such as YC, Altos Ventures, and Atinum Investment also contributed.
Robust Growth and Expanding Market Reach
MarqVision currently serves over 350 customers across diverse sectors including fashion, luxury goods, gaming, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, automotive, and consumer electronics. The startup achieved $1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within eight months, $10 million in three years, and recently surpassed $20 million, doubling revenue annually.
CEO Lee projects reaching $100 million ARR by mid-2027, emphasizing a focus on delivering superior customer experience and building a scalable AI-driven foundation. MarqVision operates as a managed service, enabling monetization of multiple offerings centered on helping global brands control their digital presence and increase revenue.
Transitioning from Detection to Revenue Recovery
Initially focused on identifying and removing counterfeit products online, MarqVision has evolved to assist brands in recapturing lost revenue, with many clients reporting approximately a 5% sales increase. This shift broadens the platform’s appeal beyond legal teams to include marketing and go-to-market functions.
Encouraged by YC partner Michael Seibel to envision a broader impact, Lee expanded MarqVision’s scope beyond software tools to comprehensive AI-led managed services for intellectual property and brand professionals. This sector, traditionally overlooked in tech, is now being transformed by AI’s scalability and efficiency.
Future Roadmap: Brand Intelligence and Global Leadership
Looking ahead, MarqVision aims to extend its offerings to include brand intelligence capabilities, providing insights into supply chains, pricing strategies, and reseller networks. Lee envisions the company becoming the foundational AI-led services platform for IP, content, and brand professionals worldwide.
“Our vision is to be the backbone of every global brand that owns IP,” Lee stated, underscoring the company’s ambition to lead in the emerging AI-powered brand protection market.
FinOracleAI — Market View
MarqVision’s substantial Series B funding and strategic focus on AI-driven automation and global expansion position it well to capitalize on the growing demand for sophisticated brand protection solutions. The integration of generative AI and a shift toward managed services could unlock significant new revenue streams, supporting the company’s ambitious ARR targets.
Risks include intensifying competition in AI-enabled IP services and the challenge of scaling operations across diverse international markets. Investors should monitor MarqVision’s execution on product innovation and enterprise client acquisition as key indicators of sustained growth.
Impact: positive
