Captions —Grow your brand with short-form video, powered by frontier AI research.

We envision a future where studio-grade video production is democratized, enabling every individual and brand to tell their story with unparalleled creativity and ease. By pioneering multimodal foundational models tailored for short-form video, we are rewriting the rules of digital storytelling and video creation.

Our commitment is to craft a comprehensive AI ecosystem that generates hyperrealistic avatars, seamless editing, and automated content production, unlocking new dimensions of visual expression. At the heart of our mission is the conviction that innovation in AI-powered video should empower everyone — from creators to enterprises — to harness the full potential of video as a medium.

Driven by advanced research and a vision for scalable, accessible technology, we are building the foundation for the next generation of video experiences that transform communication, creativity, and connection globally.

A Smart Rebrand with Big Ambitions

We've been tracking Mirage since its Captions days, and honestly, the September 2025 rebrand caught our attention for all the right reasons. This isn't just a cosmetic change—it signals a company that's thinking way beyond its original creator-focused roots. The pivot from simple video editing to becoming an "AI research lab" feels bold, especially when you're sitting on $100 million in funding and a $500 million valuation.

What impressed us most? They're not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, they're doubling down on short-form video—the format that's absolutely dominating social media right now.

The Avatar Tech That Actually Works

We'll be honest: we were skeptical about the hyperrealistic 3D avatars. The market's flooded with "AI avatar" tools that look more like video game characters than real people. But Mirage's approach caught us off guard. Their Lipdub technology generates genuinely natural lip movements and body language, and the fact that you can create personalized avatars from selfies? That's the kind of friction-reducing feature that gets people hooked.

The Mirage Studio product for brands is particularly clever. Upload an audio file, get a complete video with custom backgrounds and avatars—no human talent required. For small businesses burning through marketing budgets on video production, this could be a game-changer.

Following the Smart Money

The funding story tells us a lot about where this company's headed. That $60 million Series C isn't just about scaling—they're planning to invest $100 million specifically into generative video research. That's serious AI lab money, and it positions them to compete with the big players in a space that's heating up fast.

With over 10 million mobile downloads already, they've clearly found product-market fit. The timing feels right too, as brands scramble to keep up with the endless demand for short-form content across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Who Should Pay Attention

Mirage hits that sweet spot where individual creators and enterprise clients can both find value. If you're a content creator tired of spending hours on editing, or a brand looking to scale video production without breaking the bank, this platform makes sense. The one-tap editing and automated workflows remove most of the technical barriers that keep people from creating consistent video content.

We're particularly excited to see how their research investments pay off. Companies that balance immediate user needs with long-term R&D tend to stay ahead of the curve—and in the fast-moving AI video space, that's exactly what you want to see.