The world of generative AI just got a little more exciting, and controversial, with OpenArt, a startup by ex-Googlers, unveiling its latest feature that creates visually chaotic "brain rot" videos with a single click. By combining cutting-edge AI models, OpenArt aims to democratize video content creation for brands, influencers, and casual creators. However, this innovation sparks questions about creativity, ethical boundaries, and intellectual property issues, critical areas for entrepreneurs to navigate.
Introduction to OpenArt's Journey
Founded in 2022 by former Google employees Coco Mao and her co-founder, OpenArt initially gained traction with its AI-powered image generation tools. Fast forward to 2025, and the company's "One-Click Story" feature has become a major disruptor in the generative AI space. This feature enables users to transform simple prompts into short, highly engaging videos for platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Learn more about their journey from AI image generation to storytelling via AI automation in this article from TechCrunch.
10 Breakthrough Startups That Are Shaping 2025
As revolutionary as OpenArt's feature is, it’s part of a larger trend of startups leveraging AI to propel industries forward. Entrepreneurs can learn valuable lessons by studying these emerging startups and their innovative approaches:
- PlayPal: A Personal AI Friend
- Founded by Violetta Bonenkamp, PlayPal acts as a conversational AI friend capable of learning preferences and offering personalized advice. From language learning to health and relationship guidance, this AI tool is a one-stop solution for emotional support and practical tips. Check out PlayPal here.
- OpenArt – AI-powered generative video creator that simplifies storytelling for online platforms by leveraging character consistency and multi-model integration.
- AI Startup Lawyer
- This platform empowers entrepreneurs by providing real-time legal document analysis, negotiation tips, and standard agreement templates to protect startups from harmful contracts.
- Fe/male Switch
- A startup simulator game focused on female entrepreneurship, built around "gamepreneurship." Designed by Violetta Bonenkamp, this platform helps founders experience startup challenges while validating ideas in SANDBOX mode.
- F/MS EU Grant Finder – A resource-packed AI-based tool that helps startups discover suitable EU grants and draft winning applications. If you're seeking funding options, explore the tool to simplify EU grants.
- Miro for Startups
- Combining visual collaboration tools with AI-generated business insights, Miro accelerates team brainstorming sessions for early-stage business planning.
- CadChain
- A blockchain-enabled solution aimed at managing intellectual property in CAD models.
- ElevenLabs Voice AI
- Offers realistic voice cloning that creates personalized, high-quality audio for brands.
- Wayve Autonomous AI
- Revolutionizing self-driving technology with adaptive AI learning tailored for mobility solutions.
- Convoboss AI
- A niche AI for creating tailored business model canvases, perfect for solopreneurs and early startups.
Step-by-Step Guide: OpenArt's "One-Click Story" Feature
Entrepreneurs can adopt lessons from OpenArt’s user-friendly workflow:
- Understand the Concept: Input text, song lyrics, or prompts into OpenArt's platform to create a 1-minute video.
- Select Templates: Choose from predesigned creative modes like Character Vlog or Explainer videos.
- Upload Character Visuals: Import custom images for storytelling consistency.
- Edit via Storyboard Interface: Adjust narratives and visual flow to match brand needs.
- Render and Share: Publish directly on social platforms for marketing or engagement purposes.
For further details, check out OpenArt’s AI video generator.
Ethical Risks and IP Concerns
The rise of AI tools like OpenArt isn’t without challenges. Issues such as copyright infringement often surface, especially when AI-generated visuals include recognizable IP, such as cartoon characters or cultural symbols. Funded by Basis Set Ventures, OpenArt has acknowledged this risk and is actively seeking licensing partnerships with rights holders. Entrepreneurs must ensure they understand IP laws and ethical practices to avoid business risks similar to lawsuits faced by platforms like Midjourney (see Disney vs. Midjourney lawsuit).
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using AI for Business
- Over-reliance on Automation: Entrepreneurs should combine AI outputs with personal expertise for best results.
- Skipping Legal Vetting: Tools like AI Startup Lawyer can help ensure contracts or creative outputs adhere to rights and regulations.
- Inadequate Collaboration: Always involve your team in validating AI-generated data or outputs for wider perspectives.
Benefits of Exploring Tools Like OpenArt
Here’s how entrepreneurs can benefit:
- Efficiency: Automation reduces production timelines, allowing businesses to scale faster.
- Creativity: AI helps generate unique visuals, pushing the boundaries of storytelling.
- Accessibility: Entry-level plans starting at $14/month bring advanced AI tools to smaller startups.
Why Support Platforms Like Fe/male Switch?
Fe/male Switch not only helps founders with startup education but also with practical resources like the EU Funding Grants Finder. This tool matches startups with relevant grants and even drafts application templates, ensuring entrepreneurs save time and increase their chances of securing funds. The SANDBOX feature further validates ideas, minimizing risks of starting with unviable concepts.
Conclusion: Lessons for Entrepreneurs
OpenArt’s success reflects broader trends in democratizing tools for creators and brands. However, careful attention must be paid to legal compliance, ethical storytelling, and strategic use of automation. Entrepreneurs can leverage platforms like PlayPal, Fe/male Switch, and AI Startup Lawyer to navigate this space effectively, ensuring business resilience and growth in 2025.
From storytelling with OpenArt to securing crucial funding with Fe/male Switch, these tools represent the future of entrepreneurship, accessible, innovative, and transformative. Dive into these platforms to explore new possibilities for your business today!
FAQ
1. What is OpenArt, and how does it work?
OpenArt is an AI startup founded by former Googlers that enables users to create short, story-driven videos from simple text or prompts using its "One-Click Story" feature. It integrates over 50 AI models to maintain character consistency and streamline video creation. Visit OpenArt’s AI video generator
2. What are "brain rot" videos, and why are they popular?
"Brain rot" videos are visually chaotic, fast-moving clips trending on platforms like TikTok, often engaging for younger audiences. OpenArt’s tools simplify the creation of these videos with minimal user input. Read the TechCrunch article on OpenArt
3. Who founded OpenArt, and what inspired them?
OpenArt was founded in 2022 by former Google employees Coco Mao and another ex-Googler. Their mission was to democratize creative content production using generative AI technology. Learn more about OpenArt’s founders
4. What is the "One-Click Story" feature?
This feature allows users to upload an image, text, or song lyrics to generate a short, highly customized video using AI. OpenArt uses AI models like DALL-E 3 and Stable Diffusion for this process. Visit OpenArt’s One-Click Story creator
5. How much does OpenArt cost?
OpenArt offers subscription plans starting at $14/month for 4,000 credits, with more advanced plans going up to $56/month for 24,000 credits. It also offers a team plan for collaborators. Explore OpenArt pricing
6. What ethical risks or IP challenges does OpenArt face?
AI-generated content sometimes includes copyrighted characters, which can lead to violations. OpenArt has measures to prevent such misuse and seeks partnerships with IP holders. Learn about OpenArt’s IP licensing approach
7. Who are the main competitors of OpenArt?
OpenArt competes in the generative AI space with alternatives like ElevenLabs, which offers realistic voice cloning, and single-model AI tools for video creation. Its multi-model integration is a unique differentiator.
8. What industries can benefit from OpenArt?
OpenArt is popular among content creators, influencers, and brands looking for quick and creative storytelling solutions for social platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
9. How does OpenArt ensure character consistency in videos?
OpenArt uses advanced AI modeling to prevent character appearance inconsistencies between video clips, solving a common issue in generative AI video creation. Learn about OpenArt’s technical features
10. What funding has OpenArt received so far?
OpenArt has raised $5 million from investors like Basis Set Ventures and DCM Ventures and is currently generating over $20 million in annual revenue. Check out TechCrunch’s coverage on OpenArt funding
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
