Clipto: The AI Helping You Find Lost Files Worth $250M

Key points

• Clipto raised $15 million in September 2023 at a $250 million valuation.
• The tool uses AI to search videos, audios, and documents on personal devices.
• Clipto claims over 30 million users, with hundreds of thousands paying subscribers.
• Clipto added Model Context Protocol in late September 2023 for secure AI access.

Generative AI, which creates content like videos and documents, is everywhere, and our computers are piling up with them. But finding that one file you need? That’s where things get tricky. Clipto, a startup from San Francisco with teams in Singapore and Hong Kong, wants to help. They’ve just raised $15 million, valuing the company at $250 million, as first reported by TechCrunch.

What does Clipto do?

Clipto acts like a personal detective for your digital files. Instead of scrolling through endless folders, you can simply describe what you’re looking for, and Clipto's AI, which can also talk to tools like ChatGPT, finds it. It’s like having a super-smart search engine right on your computer.

Clipto started in 2023, with founder Henry Kang and members of his earlier startups. Kang’s been solving these problems for almost 20 years, even back to his PhD days at Carnegie Mellon University. His past projects include making robots that remembered where things were and an AI wardrobe assistant suggesting outfits.

Who is using Clipto?

Initially, Clipto was for video creators lost in their own footage. Now, lawyers, doctors, researchers, and more are using it. Clipto says more than 30 million people have tried it, with hundreds of thousands paying to keep it. And the tool isn’t just for new files; it helps you reuse what you have.

Clipto boasts $15 million in annual recurring revenue as of early 2026, with more than 20 employees split across their global offices. They’ve also integrated the Model Context Protocol, or MCP, allowing AI to access indexed files securely. Your content stays on your device unless you give the green light.

How does Clipto stack up against the big players?

Clipto enters a competitive scene where giants like Adobe, Apple, and Google offer their own AI search tools. But while those often stick to their ecosystems, Clipto casts a wider net. It can search across different file types and lets you share info with AI helpers like ChatGPT. This broad capability is Clipto's bet to stand out.

With the recent funding, Clipto plans to power up its AI models and integrate more AI agents, making it even handier for users on everyday hardware.

Common questions

Is Clipto safe to use?

Yes, Clipto processes your data locally on your device, meaning it doesn't rely on cloud services, keeping your files secure. You control what AI can access and when.

How much does Clipto cost?

Clipto offers a free tier for basic use, but for advanced features, you'll need a paid subscription. The exact pricing depends on the services you choose to use.

What if I already use Google or Apple for search?

Clipto is designed to complement these services. Its strength is in searching across multiple file types and letting you integrate with different AI tools.