Like many high-flying startups, Runway ML started out as a pet project of college students. Now, it’s evolved into a video-editing company making waves in generative AI.

In 2021, members of Runway ML’s research team coauthored a paper that would help kickstart Stable Diffusion and generative AI models like it.

• The influence of that paper—plus clients like New Balance and CBS’s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert—led to even more growth.

Show me the money: Last year, Runway’s three-year beta product graduated to an enterprise-level offering, and in December, Runway raised $50 million in funding at a $500 million valuation. The company declined to share current revenue or growth numbers.

As business interest in generative AI surges, here’s a look at how some organizations are using this particular tool to automate parts of the video-editing process.

AI tools killed…the editing star? A member of the VFX team behind at least one Oscar-nominated film—Everything Everywhere All At Once—made use of the company’s tools.

• Evan Halleck, a VFX artist who worked on the film, told us he used Runway’s Green Screen tool to automate the process of rotoscoping, or tracing over a subject’s outline, frame-by-frame, in order to pair them with a new background.

“I only used Runway on the tail end of Everything Everywhere All At Once,” Halleck told us in an interview. Since that film, Halleck has used Runway for multiple other projects, he said.

Keep reading here.—HF

Coworking is a weekly segment where we spotlight Emerging Tech Brew readers who work with emerging technologies. Click here if you’d like a chance to be featured.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in tech?

Growing a business is like coaching the offense of a football team—it takes a lot of planning and the understanding that sometimes factors come into play that you can’t control, like an injury or inclement weather.

In my role, I do my best to lead and encourage our go-to-market teams and follow a strategy to keep business, grow business, and delight our customers. I work closely with other leaders to build a strong team, invest in making them better, and win and lose together.

What’s your favorite emerging tech project you’ve worked on?

As the founder of an AI company that Freshworks acquired in 2020, AI is near and dear to my heart.

We’re officially in the era of AI-first software, and over the past year, Freshworks has rolled out several new product updates to help our customers benefit from it. From increasing agent productivity by automating simple tasks like cancellations and refunds to making experiences across the entire customer lifecycle more personalized, AI continues to enhance our products and bring value to our customers.

What emerging tech are you most optimistic about? Least? And why?

I’m all in on the future of generative AI and large language models and their positive impact on CX. This technology has exciting potential to improve the customer experience with more thoughtful engagement at scale.

What’s the best piece of tech-related media you’ve read/watched/listened to?

Recently, I’ve been loving the Revenue Builders Podcast with John McMahon and John Kaplan. Not only are they educational, but they also give listeners a sneak peek into some of the brilliant minds in our space and best practices for scaling and growing your business.

One thing we can’t guess from your LinkedIn profile?

Living in Seattle, I’m a runner and a golf nut. I’ve run quite a few half marathons, and while I’m not as competitive these days, I still enjoy getting some miles in running trails around nearby lakes.

What do you think about when you’re not thinking about tech?

Learning about human behavior, psychology, and emotional connections, and how I can apply this to my leadership style. I’m also a major foodie, so I am constantly thinking about what’s for dinner.

Stat: New solar installations in the US fell 16% YoY in 2022, due in part to supply issues and tariffs, according to a recent report.

Quote: “The Google Cloud leadership decided that they wanted to have a global games organization. And they tapped me to come on over and lead it…It’s been a wild ride.”—Jack Buser, director of game industry solutions at Google Cloud, to GamesBeat

Read:  Why “​​India’s plan to encourage EV adoption is failing,” via Rest of World.

Links we love: The tech industry hasn’t escaped the tough economic conditions. But you can protect your bottom line by building a P&L that’s tougher. The Brew’s Financial Forecasting course can teach you how to do just that.

Vital crypto insights: Whether you’re launching a new project or working for an established crypto brand, this Morning Brew Insights report on how our audience feels about crypto in 2023 is a must-read.

Catch up on the top Tech Brew stories from the past few editions:

• How Google’s 2021 AI ethics debate foreshadowed the future
• How Microsoft is thinking outside the Xbox
• Inside Delta’s big-dollar, multiyear push to bring free in-flight wi-fi to the masses