PIP Labs

PIP Labs

Develops Layer 1 programmable IP protocol

About PIP Labs

Simplify's Rating
Why PIP Labs is rated
C-
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated C on Growth Potential
Rated D+ on Differentiation

Industries

Data & Analytics

Enterprise Software

Crypto & Web3

AI & Machine Learning

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$134M

Headquarters

Palo Alto, California

Founded

N/A

Overview

PIP Labs built Story Protocol, a Layer 1 blockchain that acts as an open, programmable repository for intellectual property. Creators register works on-chain as Programmable IP, tokenizing ownership and provenance so licenses, royalties, and collaborations can be managed by smart contracts. It enables an ecosystem of third-party apps for licensing, royalty distribution, and co-creation built on top of the protocol, focusing on decentralized IP management and AI model use cases. The goal is to reduce friction in IP licensing and monetization in the digital era by providing a foundational layer for creators and developers, supported by significant funding from investors like a16z.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Poseidon AI data platform addresses $80 trillion IP asset class bottleneck for autonomous AI workflows.
  • Open-sourced L1 consensus client enables developer ecosystem growth and decentralized node participation.
  • Story Foundation's February 2026 IP tokenomics framework establishes creator royalty automation at scale.

What critics are saying

  • March 2026 layoffs (10-15% staff) signal operational distress amid AI pivot and engineering velocity loss.
  • US Copyright Office February 2026 ruling deems on-chain IP registration non-binding, nullifying enforcement mechanism.
  • OpenAI's direct publisher licensing deals bypass blockchain middlemen, commoditizing programmable IP revenue model.

What makes PIP Labs unique

  • Story Protocol tokenizes IP into programmable digital assets on Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure.
  • Founders' combined expertise spans AI (DeepMind), creator platforms (Radish $440M exit), and blockchain engineering.
  • Strategic partnerships with Stability AI and Futureverse integrate AI-generated content rights and metaverse IP ecosystems.

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Funding

Total Funding

$134M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

2 Rounds

Series B funding is typically for startups that have proven their business model and need more funding to expand rapidly—often by entering new markets or adding more products. Investors are usually venture capital firms that specialize in later-stage investments.
Series B Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$35M
$45M
Linktree
$65M
Substack
$80M
PIP Labs
$100M
ClickUp

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

VentureBeat
Apr 3rd, 2025
Futureverse Teams With Story In Web3 Technology Deal

Futureverse, a AI and metaverse technology company, has signed a memorandum of understanding to do an intellectual property deal with Web3 firm PIP Labs, the core contributor to Story.This strategic partnership will focus on integrating Futureverse’s technology and extensive IP portfolio along with The Root Network to Story. Story, is a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain designed to tokenize intellectual property into programmable digital assets, pioneering new ways for creators and brands to register, manage, and commercialize digital assets on-chain.The Root Network is purpose-built to deliver on the promise of interoperability for IP assets wherever they are created, enhancing the value of owners and collectors.Intellectual property has traditionally been managed through fragmented, centralized systems that limit the ability of IP holders and creators to fully control, license, and monetize their work. As digital content continues to expand, ensuring that IP ownership remains transparent, enforceable, and interoperable across multiple platforms is increasingly important. This partnership addresses these challenges by leveraging blockchain technology to create a decentralized, programmable framework for IP, fostering a more open and creator-centric digital economy.Through this collaboration, Futureverse and PIP Labs, Story’s initial core contributor, will work together to onboard, grow, and monetize Futureverse’s extensive IP portfolio within Story’s blockchain ecosystem. Futureverse, through Readyverse Studios, holds exclusive licenses for blockbuster IPs such as Ready Player One/Two. The partnership will also explore the integration of Story-powered applications into Futureverse’s The Readyverse platform, enhancing interoperability across metaverse experiences, games, and applications

Cointelegraph
Aug 21st, 2024
PIP Labs secures $80M for Story Protocol, valuation hits $2.25B

PIP Labs has secured $80 million in a Series B funding round co-led by 16z Crypto and Polychain Capital to support Story Protocol, a layer-1 blockchain intellectual property tokenization.

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