Runway

Runway is an artificial intelligence (AI) company that transforms video and image creation. Founded in 2018, the company has grown to become a leader in generative AI, offering tools that allow users to generate, edit, and enhance visual content using natural language prompts. 

Its AI platform empowers creators to modify lighting, change backgrounds, and alter characters in real time. Trusted by over 20 million creators and studios globally, Runway is used by major partners like Netflix, Lionsgate, and AMC Networks. The company is headquartered in New York, with a team working from offices in multiple locations, including San Francisco, Seattle, London, and Tel Aviv.
 

Runway’s platform includes a range of tools such as Aleph, Act-Two, and Gen-4. These tools allow for seamless transformations of video and images, enabling users to create unique characters, generate new scenes, and edit content effortlessly. The platform also includes features for AI-driven performance creation, real-time scene changes, and visual transformations, all powered by cutting-edge machine learning models.

In April 2025, Runway raised US $308 million in a Series D funding round led by General Atlantic, with participation from companies like Nvidia and SoftBank. This round brought the company's total capital raised to approximately US $536.5 million, valuing it at over US$3 billion. Previously, it secured $50 million in Series C funding in 2022 and an additional $141 million in 2023.

Runway’s mission is to make AI accessible to all creators and industries, from film and media to architecture and gaming. Its AI tools are reshaping creative workflows, closing the gap between concept and execution. As a result, Runway continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in creative content production.

Runway AI, Inc. was founded in 2018 by Cristóbal Valenzuela, Anastasis Germanidis, and Alejandro Matamala. They met at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts ITP programme while working on machine learning models for creative media. The initial idea was to build a platform that brings machine learning tools within reach of creators and artists.
 

In its early stage, the company raised a seed round of roughly US$2 million to build infrastructure for deploying models at scale in multimedia applications. Over time, Runway shifted from being a model directory to building deeper AI?enabled video editing tools.
 

In December 2020, Runway raised US$8.5 million in a Series A funding round. In December 2021, it raised US$35 million in a Series B round. By August 2022, Runway took part in the release of an improved version of the latent diffusion model known as Stable Diffusion in partnership with the CompVis group at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and a compute donation by another partner.

On 21 December 2022, Runway secured US$50 million in a Series C round. In June 2023 the company raised an extension of US$141 million as part of Series C, at a reported valuation of US$1.5 billion, with participation from Google, Nvidia and others.
 

In February 2023, Runway released its models Gen 1 and Gen 2, the first publicly available commercial video-to-video and text-to-video generation systems via its web interface. In June 2023 the company was listed by TIME Magazine among the “100 Most Influential Companies”.
 

In March 2025, the company launched its model Gen 4 which allows the generation of videos with consistent characters, objects and environments across scenes, using reference images and text prompts. Shortly after, in April 2025, Runway raised US$308 million in a Series D round led by General Atlantic, bringing the total capital raised to about US$536.5 million, and the company’s valuation to over US$3 billion.
 

At present, Runway continues to operate globally, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, London, and Tel Aviv. It offers a suite of AI tools accessible via web and API, including tools for image and video generation, editing, transformation, and character animation. The company’s platform is trusted by more than 20 million creators and studios, including major media partners. Its mission remains to enable anyone to create anything using AI.

Runway’s mission is to make advanced AI tools accessible to everyone, allowing creators, artists, and businesses to generate and edit images and videos quickly and efficiently. The company aims to empower users by providing easy-to-use AI-powered tools that streamline the creative process. Runway’s platform helps users bring their ideas to life, whether in film production, design, or other industries, by offering real-time video and image transformations using natural language prompts. Their goal is to break down barriers in creative work and enable anyone to create professional-quality content effortlessly.

Runway envisions a future where anyone can create anything using AI. The company seeks to lead the way in transforming how art, entertainment, and creativity are approached by making cutting-edge AI tools accessible to all. They aim to eliminate the traditional limitations in the creative process, such as time-consuming tasks and technical barriers, by providing a platform where anyone, regardless of technical skill, can produce high-quality video and image content. Runway believes that AI will be a crucial part of shaping the future of creative industries, and they are committed to advancing these technologies for global use.

Runway has been widely recognised for its innovative work in the field of AI-powered content creation. In 2023, the company was named in TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Companies,” highlighting its significant impact on the creative industry. Runway’s tools have been trusted by major companies, including Netflix, Lionsgate, and AMC Networks. In addition, the company has raised significant funding, including a US$308 million Series D round in April 2025, bringing its total valuation to over US$3 billion. These recognitions reflect Runway’s position as a leader in AI technology for creative industries.

Runway is an innovative platform that combines the power of artificial intelligence, design, and creativity. It helps individuals and businesses create high-quality videos, images, and content with speed and simplicity. Built for the modern creator, Runway makes advanced AI tools accessible to everyone, from filmmakers and marketing teams to designers and educators.

At its core, Runway offers a suite of AI-powered products and creative tools that transform how content is made. These tools are designed to automate complex tasks like video editing, visual effects, image generation, and motion tracking — all without needing deep technical skills or expensive software. Let’s explore some of its main products and services.
 

AI Video Editing
 

One of Runway’s flagship products is its AI video editor, which allows users to edit videos directly in their browsers. Unlike traditional software, it uses machine learning to simplify editing. Features such as automatic background removal, object tracking, and scene detection save hours of manual work. You can remove unwanted elements, change backgrounds, or adjust colours with just a few clicks. The AI understands what’s happening in a video and can intelligently make edits - almost like having a smart assistant for post-production.

Text-to-Video Generation
 

Runway is best known for its text-to-video model, Gen-2, which turns written prompts into realistic video clips. For example, typing “a sunrise over London city skyline” can instantly generate a short video of that scene. This service has opened new doors for creative professionals who want to visualise ideas quickly without needing cameras, actors, or filming locations. It’s a breakthrough for advertising, storytelling, and education, where speed and imagination matter.

Image and Video Generation
 

Alongside video tools, Runway also offers AI image generation services. Using text or image prompts, users can create artwork, visual concepts, or product mock-ups. The system can even transform still images into moving videos, helping brands and designers bring static ideas to life.

Collaboration and Cloud-Based Workflow
 

Runway is built for teams. Its cloud-based platform allows multiple users to work on the same project in real time. Files are stored securely online, which means there’s no need for heavy downloads or expensive editing setups. Whether you’re working on a film, an advert, or a social media campaign, your entire team can access the same project, share feedback, and make edits instantly.

Training and Custom AI Models

For businesses with unique needs, Runway also offers AI model training. This means companies can train Runway’s systems using their own data, so the AI learns to create visuals that match their specific style, branding, or tone. It’s especially useful for agencies and production studios that want to maintain a consistent creative identity.

Accessibility and Integration
 

Runway works smoothly across different devices and integrates with common creative tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. This makes it easier for professionals to include AI features in their existing workflows without starting from scratch.