Decart Secures $100M Series B at $3.1B Valuation Leap

Decart, an AI lab specializing in real-time creative experiences, has raised $100 million in Series B funding at a $3.1 billion valuation, according to Fortune. The round was led by existing investors Sequoia Capital, Benchmark, and Zeev Ventures, with new investor Aleph VC also participating. This marks a significant valuation jump from the company's previous valuation of $500 million. The funding was described by Decart co-founder Dean Leitersdorf as "wholly unnecessary," as the company has spent less than $10 million of the $153 million raised in the last 11 months [1].

Founded in 2023 by Leitersdorf and Moshe Shalev, Decart is developing an AI model called Mirage, which transforms video content in real time into various visual styles. During a demo of the technology, Leitersdorf showcased the model's ability to convert a Sabrina Carpenter music video into a snowy animated landscape or a steampunk scene. Mirage, referred to as a "livestream diffusion model," is a core component of Decart’s ambition to disrupt how people interact with digital content [1].

Leitersdorf envisions Decart as a billion-user consumer app that will transform the way people engage with technology. He believes that while AI has already begun reshaping areas like knowledge, e-commerce, and communication, the creative and entertainment sectors remain largely untouched. By focusing on interactive AI experiences, Decart aims to fill this gap and build a company that could one day rival the largest tech firms in the world [1].

The company’s long-term goal is to become a trillion-dollar business. Leitersdorf, who earned his doctorate by age 23, approaches this ambition with a mix of exuberance and confidence. While acknowledging the enormity of the challenge, he remains undeterred. “If it works, that’s incredible. And if it doesn’t, you had the best five years of your life,” he said [1].

Decart’s approach to AI is part of a broader shift in the tech industry following the rise of large language models like ChatGPT. Leitersdorf argues that AI is already transforming the first three pillars of internet use—knowledge, e-commerce, and communication—but the creative side remains underdeveloped. He sees platforms like Netflix, Instagram, and TikTok as prime areas where AI could introduce new forms of interaction and content creation [1].

Despite the high valuation, Decart has yet to achieve its long-term ambitions. However, the company’s rapid growth and clear vision suggest that it is well-positioned to capitalize on the next wave of AI-driven innovation. As the market for AI continues to evolve, companies like Decart are setting their sights on redefining how users interact with digital experiences in real time [1].

Source: [1] Exclusive: Decart raises $100 million at a $3.1 billion valuation, chasing the future of real-time creative AI (https://fortune.com/2025/08/07/exclusive-decart-raises-100-million-at-a-3-1-billion-valuation-chasing-the-future-of-real-time-creative-ai/)