Unleashing the Future of Narrative Universes with Story Protocol

Story Protocol is at the forefront of revolutionizing how narrative universes are created and governed in the web3 era. By harnessing the power of blockchain technology, Story Protocol is building a new paradigm where intellectual property (IP) can be managed, licensed, and monetized in an entirely decentralized manner. The company’s mission is to unlock a new way of creating, governing, and licensing IP on-chain, enabling an ecosystem of “story legos” that can be remixed and composed by creators from all media – prose, images, gaming, audio, and more.
Story Protocol offers a streamlined framework for managing the entire lifecycle of IP development. Its features, including provenance tracking, frictionless licensing, and revenue sharing, are designed to empower creators, allowing them to track their work’s origin and contributions while capturing the value generated from their creativity. Whether it's writers, artists, or game developers, Story Protocol provides the tools to ensure that creative work is not only protected but also easily shareable and monetizable in the digital age.

The Visionaries Behind Story Protocol
Story Protocol's innovative approach is driven by a team of visionaries dedicated to transforming the landscape of creative IP. The company's co-founders include Seung Yoon Lee, Seung Soo Kim, Jason Zhao, and Jason Levy. Each brings a unique perspective and expertise to the table, contributing to the development of a platform that could fundamentally change how creators interact with their work and with each other.

• Seung Yoon Lee: As the CEO of PIP Labs, Lee has a rich background in web3 technology and a passion for empowering creators through decentralized solutions.

• Seung Soo Kim: Serving as the COO, Kim's strategic insights have been instrumental in guiding the company's operations and scaling its offerings.

• Jason Zhao: As the Chief Product Officer, Zhao is focused on ensuring that Story Protocol's features are user-centric, catering to the needs of creators across various industries.

• Jason Levy: Bringing expertise in business development, Levy plays a critical role in forging partnerships and expanding the platform's reach globally.

PIP Labs' $80 Million Series B Funding Round
Programmable IP (PIP) Labs, the developer of Story Protocol, recently announced a significant milestone in its journey. The company raised $80 million in a Series B funding round led by a16z crypto, with participation from other notable investors, including Polychain Capital, Scott Trowbridge from Stability AI, K11 founder and billionaire Adrian Cheng, and digital art collector Cozomo de' Medici.
This funding round, structured as equity with token warrants, is a testament to the growing interest and confidence in Story Protocol's vision. The Series B round brings PIP Labs' total funding to $140 million, following a $54 million Series A round last year, also led by a16z crypto. This capital infusion will enable PIP Labs to further develop the Story Protocol platform and expand its ecosystem of narrative universes.

What is Story Protocol?
At its core, Story Protocol is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to tokenize and program intellectual property, making it adaptable in the AI era. In a world where AI has made content creation easier but also prone to IP theft, Story Protocol offers a solution that protects creators’ rights while enabling seamless licensing and revenue sharing.
Story Protocol allows creators to register their IP on-chain, ensuring that their rights are preserved and that they are rewarded whenever their content is used or shared. This approach not only benefits creators but also fosters a sustainable and thriving ecosystem where AI and original content can coexist harmoniously.
“Story will ensure a sustainable and flourishing path for the internet’s creativity that benefits both creators and AI, without any intermediaries,” says Seung Yoon Lee, CEO of PIP Labs. “Creators can programmatically declare their sovereign rights and licenses on their IP, while AI models can easily license and compensate them without the need for lawyers and legal documents, making Story a win-win for both IP and AI.”

Success Stories Powered by Story Protocol
Several innovative projects are already leveraging Story Protocol’s capabilities, showcasing the platform’s potential across different industries.

• Magma (Art): A collaborative digital art platform with over 3 million users, Magma uses Story Protocol’s programmable IP features to assert ownership, enable authorized remixing, and ensure proper attribution and compensation in highly collaborative environments.
• Mahojin (AI Models): An AI remix layer, Mahojin integrates generative AI into third-party apps, offering users an innovative remix UX and a vast model repository. For AI creators, Mahojin enables IP tracking and fair revenue sharing, ensuring end-to-end connection with users.
• Sekai (Storytelling): Sekai is an AI storytelling platform that empowers creators and fans to co-create immersive interactive stories using simple prompts. It allows IP owners to set the rules for contributions, including monetization models, enabling a dynamic storytelling experience.
• Ablo (Fashion): Space Runners’ Ablo platform allows anyone to customize and remix the latest fashion using generative AI tools. Collaborating with major fashion brands like Balmain Paris, Pangaia, Dolce & Gabbana, and Smiley, Ablo unlocks new monetization models for celebrities, designers, and brands.

Story Protocol's Growing Influence
At the time of writing, Story Protocol has garnered a strong following, with over 40.6K followers on X (formerly Twitter), and the community is growing rapidly. This growing influence is a testament to the platform's potential to reshape the creative landscape and empower creators worldwide.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Storytelling in Web3
Story Protocol is pioneering a new era of narrative universes in the web3 space, offering creators the tools to protect, share, and monetize their IP on a decentralized platform. With substantial backing from industry-leading investors and a visionary team, Story Protocol is poised to revolutionize how we think about IP in the digital age. As more creators and projects embrace this platform, the future of storytelling looks brighter than ever.