Artistic AI startup Promise goes full speed ahead, lands Google investment and partnership

As Promise pulls back the curtain to reveal some of its first projects, it is deepening its pockets by securing a strategic investment. The generative AI-powered studio founded by a trio of innovators — AI artist Dave Clark, longtime digital video operative George Strompolos, and former YouTube Senior Director of Creator Partnerships Jamie Byrne — has announced a capital injection that includes participation from Google’s AI Future Fund.

The size of the investment has not been publicly revealed, but Promise is forging a multi-pronged alliance with Google as it begins previewing its first AI-assisted productions. In addition to the support the startup is getting from the AI Future Fund, it is also integrating some of Google’s AI products into a proprietary workflow platform called MUSE.

Promise’s leadership team includes a pair of ex-Googlers. Byrne spent nearly 16 years at YouTube, while Strompolos got six years of experience at the same company before moving on to lead the influential multi-channel network Fullscreen.

Now, those two execs are leveraging their connections and using Promise to demonstrate the potential of Google’s AI tools within the world of Hollywood. “Promise is one of the most forward-thinking studios we’ve encountered — operating on the leading edge of what’s creatively possible with generative AI,” said Google AI Futures Fund Co-Founder and Director Jonathan Silber in a statement. “Their work with models like Gemini and Veo is helping demonstrate how this technology can enhance cinematic storytelling and unlock new creative frontiers — making this partnership a powerful example of what’s possible.”

Beyond Google, other firms contributing to Promise’s investment include Crossbeam Venture Partners, Kivu Ventures, and Saga Ventures. They’re joined by angel investors like Emery Wells and Aaron Levie, as well as original Promise investors The North Road Company (Peter Chernin’s company) Offline Ventures.

Promise has been busy since announcing its launch and initial funding last November. In February, the startup revealed the first wave of AI artists who will work with it on a splashy slate of shows, movies, and other “innovative formats.” Clark, who has strong ties in the world of AI art, took the lead on those collabs.

Then, shortly before announcing its latest investment, Promise shared a sneak peek at NinjaPunk. That’s the name of an upcoming film, helmed by Clark, that will combine multiple production techniques to tell a futuristic story. Traditional cinematography will be combined with technologies like motion capture, VFX, and “generative AI material” to bring NinjaPunk to life in a novel way.

Promise has big plans for the future. Amid widespread tensions regarding the use of generative AI in Hollywood productions, the big-minded startup is out to show that genAI tools can enhance creativity rather than replacing it. Thanks to support from Google and others, Promise has an extended runway as it brings that vision to life.