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Runway shifts from cinematic AI to world models, daring to take on Google in the AI race
Technology
Published on 16 May 2026
Its world model push started months after it won film clients
AI video-generation startup Runway is betting its next leap won’t be smarter text, but world models learned from real-world observational data. Founded in 2018 by three founders from Chile and Greece who met at NYU Tisch, the company built a reputation on video tools used by filmmakers and ad agencies, with partnerships including Lionsgate and AMC Networks. Now valued at $5.3 billion, Runway says it launched a first world model in December and plans another this year—taking aim at Google’s AI ambitions.
- Runway founded in 2018 by three NYU Tisch alumni in New York
- Video-generation platform supports filmmakers and ad agencies
- Partnerships include Lionsgate and AMC Networks
- Company valuation is $5.3 billion, with $40M annual recurring revenue added in Q2 2026
- Launched its first world model in December and plans another this year
- Co-CEO argues world models need less biased observational data than text
Read the full story at TechCrunch
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
TechCrunch