TechCrunch Startup News AI video startup, Higgsfield, founded by ex-Snap exec, lands $1.3B valuation; plus, Symbolic.ai signs deal with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp
Jan 19, 2026
Higgsfield is making waves with a massive $1.3 billion valuation and a rapid user growth to 15 million, driven by its innovative AI video tool. They've now boosted their Series A funding, bringing in an additional $80 million. Meanwhile, Symbolic.ai has secured a deal with News Corp to enhance editorial processes with its AI platform, boasting impressive productivity features for complex tasks. The contrasting uses of AI in content creation spark both excitement and controversy, especially with deepfake capabilities.
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Rapid Growth And Billion-Dollar Valuation
- Higgsfield reached a $1.3B valuation after extending its Series A and selling $80M more in stock.
- The startup claims 15M users and a $200M annual revenue run rate driven by professional social media marketers.
Founder’s Exit Fueled New Startup
- Founder Alex Mashraboff previously sold his startup AI Factory to Snap and then launched Higgsfield.
- Higgsfield gained traction quickly, hitting millions of users within months of launch.
From Viral Tool To Professional Platform
- Higgsfield's revenue trajectory doubled from $100M to $200M ARR in about two months.
- The company positions itself as a business tool for professional marketers, not just casual creators.