AI music startup Suno raises funding at $5.4 billion valuation

- Suno said on Wednesday it has raised more than $400 million in a funding round at a $5.4 billion valuation, as the AI music startup looks to enhance its platform by creating new tools.


Here are some details:

  • The Massachusetts-based startup, which allows users to generate songs via AI prompts, said Bond Capital led the Series D funding round alongside venture capital firms such as IVP, Forerunner and Union Square Ventures

  • AI music companies have been under growing scrutiny from artists, who have objected to the use of their work to train models without compensation

  • More than 1,800 independent artists are supporting class-action lawsuits against Suno and Udio, alleging that the actions of these startups "were an attack" on the music community's "most vulnerable and valuable members"

  • Last year Udio signed deals with Universal Music Group UMG.AS and Warner Music Group WMG.O to settle copyright cases, while Suno reached a settlement with WMG

  • Spotify SPOT.N announced a deal with UMG last month, allowing the Swedish music streaming giant's subscribers to create AI-generated covers and remixes of tracks by some of the label's artists, doubling down on AI features to compete with Suno and Udio

  • Suno plans to begin rolling out its "first music model developed in partnership with the music industry" in the coming months

  • Existing investors, including Lightspeed and Menlo Ventures, participated in the fundraise

  • The startup had in November raised $250 million at a $2.45 billion valuation

  • Suno did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment seeking more details about the music model and industry partnership