MarqVision, an AI-driven startup focused on combating counterfeiting and brand abuse, has raised \$48 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to approximately \$90 million. Founded in 2021, the Los Angeles-based company leverages computer vision and artificial intelligence to help brands identify and eliminate counterfeit products, safeguard intellectual property, and optimize their digital presence on a global scale.
From Harvard Law to AI Entrepreneurship
The idea for MarqVision originated during founder Mark Lee’s time at Harvard Law School. A trademark class exposed him to the vast scale of counterfeiting, a global market exceeding \$3 trillion annually, accounting for roughly 8% of worldwide commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth as commerce moved online, creating new opportunities for counterfeiters across marketplaces and social media platforms. Lee recognized that AI-powered computer vision could offer a scalable solution to this pervasive problem, inspiring the launch of MarqVision.
The company name itself reflects this vision: “Marq” derives from trademark, and “Vision” highlights its reliance on computer vision technology. Today, MarqVision combines AI, automation, and managed services to protect brands from digital infringements while enabling measurable revenue recovery.
Expanding AI and Global Operations
The newly raised funds will support several key initiatives. About half of the capital will be allocated to expanding MarqVision’s AI and engineering teams, accelerating automation, and integrating generative AI across the platform. An additional \$10 million is dedicated to enterprise readiness as the company targets larger brands, while another \$10 million will drive regional expansion into new markets, including Japan, complementing its existing presence in the U.S., Korea, China, and Europe.
The Series B round was led by Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA, with participation from Salesforce Ventures, HSG (formerly Sequoia China), Coral Capital, and Michael Seibel, partner emeritus at Y Combinator. Returning investors, including YC, Altos Ventures, and Atinum Investment, also participated, reflecting strong confidence in MarqVision’s growth trajectory.
Transforming Brand Protection with AI
MarqVision’s technology initially focused on detecting counterfeit goods online and removing infringing listings. As the platform evolved, it expanded to support revenue recovery, allowing brands to measure and recapture lost sales. Clients report an average 5% increase in revenue after using the platform, illustrating the tangible value of combining IP protection with commercial impact.
The platform serves over 350 customers globally across industries such as fashion, luxury, gaming, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, automotive, and consumer electronics. The company reached \$1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within eight months, \$10 million in three years, and recently surpassed \$20 million ARR, maintaining a consistent annual growth rate of approximately 100%.
Looking ahead, MarqVision targets \$100 million ARR by mid-2027. The company prioritizes delivering exceptional customer experience and building a scalable AI-driven infrastructure to support both managed services and automated workflows. By doing so, MarqVision is redefining brand protection as a service, transforming it into a scalable, software-like operation fueled by AI.
From Software to AI-Led Services
MarqVision’s approach demonstrates how AI is reshaping service industries. Traditionally considered labor-intensive and difficult to scale, services like brand protection are now being transformed through AI and automation. By combining managed services with AI insights, MarqVision offers a unique value proposition: brands gain both operational efficiency and measurable commercial outcomes.
The company’s roadmap extends beyond counterfeiting, moving toward comprehensive brand control and intelligence. This includes monitoring and managing digital presence across e-commerce, social media, websites, and chat platforms, while providing actionable insights on supply chains, pricing strategies, and reseller networks. The vision is to become the AI-led services backbone for IP, content, and brand professionals worldwide.
Investor Perspective and Market Opportunity
Investors see significant opportunity in MarqVision’s model. AI not only enhances efficiency but fundamentally transforms the execution of services, expanding the total addressable market. The rise of large language models and generative AI has repositioned MarqVision from a software company with human oversight to a leader in the emerging AI-led services space, attracting strong investor interest.
Peak XV, HSG, and Salesforce Ventures are backing the company’s vision to scale AI-driven IP and brand protection globally. By integrating AI capabilities into high-value services, MarqVision addresses both legal and commercial priorities for its clients, offering a holistic solution that bridges enforcement and revenue growth.
Strategic Vision
MarqVision’s long-term goal is to serve as the primary platform for brands managing intellectual property and digital presence worldwide. By harnessing AI to automate detection, enforcement, and insights, the platform enables brands to operate more efficiently while capturing value lost to counterfeit and brand misuse. This comprehensive approach positions MarqVision at the forefront of the AI-powered services revolution, redefining what it means to protect and manage global brands in the digital age.
In summary, MarqVision exemplifies how AI can transform traditional services into scalable, revenue-generating solutions. With strong financial backing, a growing global footprint, and a clear vision for AI-led brand protection, the company is poised to redefine IP management and commercial brand control across industries worldwide.
