• The creator economy experienced a significant funding boom in 2025, with 13 startups raising a combined total of approximately $2 billion.
  • The investment surge was primarily driven by two sectors: artificial intelligence tools for content creation and social commerce platforms.
  • Eight AI-focused startups alone secured $1.2 billion, including major rounds for Synthesia ($180 million) and ElevenLabs ($180 million).
  • Social commerce also saw massive deals, with Whatnot raising $490 million at an $11.5 billion valuation and ShopMy securing $147.5 million.

Quick Summary

The creator economy saw a massive influx of capital in 2025, with 13 startups raising nearly $2 billion combined. The funding was concentrated in two primary sectors: artificial intelligence tools and social commerce platforms.

Investors poured money into companies automating content creation and those building live shopping ecosystems. The total funding for these 13 companies crossed the $1.9 billion mark, signaling strong confidence in the sector's growth despite emerging debates over AI's role in creative industries.

The AI Investment Surge

Artificial intelligence dominated the funding landscape in 2025, with eight startups building AI tools for content creation raising at least $50 million each. These companies combined to secure $1.2 billion from venture capital and private equity investors.

Several key players drove this momentum:

  • Synthesia, a generative AI video startup based in London, confirmed a $180 million funding round in January.
  • ElevenLabs, a text-to-voice AI startup, closed a $180 million Series C round early in the year.
  • Moonvalley, which builds AI video tools for Hollywood, raised $84 million.
  • Krea, an AI creative toolkit, announced it had raised $83 million to date.

Despite the financial success, the rapid adoption of AI carries friction within the creator economy. Some startups offering features like human-like avatars pose potential threats to content creators. The influencer marketing sector has not yet reached a consensus on how or when to utilize these emerging technologies.

Social Commerce Boom

While AI captured headlines, social commerce startups were also raking in significant funding. Platforms focusing on live shopping and affiliate marketing saw valuations soar. The US market is warming to this model, with sales expected to cross $100 billion next year, fueled partly by the growth of TikTok Shop.

Major deals in this sector included:

  • Whatnot: The live shopping platform raised a total of $490 million across two later-stage rounds. It was recently valued at $11.5 billion, doubling its valuation from earlier in the year.
  • ShopMy: The affiliate marketing platform raised a total of $147.5 million in 2025. The company is gaining market share in the influencer marketing space and reached a valuation of $1.5 billion.

The fundraising blitz follows similar activity in 2024, with several companies like ElevenLabs and ShopMy raising money two years in a row.

The Full List of 13 Startups

Business Insider analyzed 2025 fundraising data to identify the 13 startups that raised $50 million or more. These companies significantly impact the businesses and content creation processes of creators and their partners.

The 13 startups, in alphabetical order, are:

  1. Animaj: Raised $85 million in June for AI-driven animation distribution.
  2. ElevenLabs: Raised $180 million Series C; later announced a $100 million tender offer.
  3. Fixated: A talent-management firm that raised $62.8 million.
  4. Higgsfield: Raised $50 million Series A for generative AI video.
  5. Krea: Raised $83 million for AI creative tools.
  6. Manychat: Raised $140 million for SMS and DM marketing automation.
  7. Moonvalley: Raised $84 million for Hollywood-focused AI video tools.
  8. PixVerse: Raised $60 million Series B for AI video creation.
  9. ShopMy: Raised $147.5 million total for affiliate marketing.
  10. Substack: Raised $100 million Series C, valuing the newsletter platform at $1.1 billion.
  11. Suno: Raised $250 million Series C for generative AI music.
  12. Synthesia: Raised $180 million for generative AI video and avatars.
  13. Whatnot: Raised $490 million for live social shopping.

Conclusion

The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for the creator economy, characterized by a divergence in investor interest between automation and commerce. While AI promises to streamline production, social commerce platforms are building new revenue streams for creators. The combined $2 billion investment into these 13 companies suggests that despite the friction regarding AI's role, the infrastructure supporting digital creators is becoming a major asset class for venture capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding did creator economy startups raise in 2025?

Thirteen creator economy startups raised a combined total of approximately $2 billion in 2025.

Which sectors attracted the most investment?

Artificial intelligence tools for content creation and social commerce platforms, including live shopping and affiliate marketing, attracted the most investment.

What was the largest funding round mentioned?

Suno announced a $250 million Series C round, and Whatnot raised a total of $490 million across two rounds.