AI is Redefining Brand Protection: Lessons from MarqVision

From Harvard Law to $48 Million: AI's Role in Combating Brand Abuse

It’s fascinating how often the most impactful innovations stem from unexpected places. For Mark Lee, a former law student at Harvard, it wasn't a courtroom or a corporate boardroom that sparked his entrepreneurial journey, but a trademark class. This academic exposure to the sheer scale of counterfeiting – a shadowy industry eclipsing trillions annually – ignited a passion that led him down a completely different, and far more technologically driven, path.

Lee, who initially envisioned a traditional legal career, found himself questioning the status quo during his time at Harvard Law. “I was always broadly interested in technology and startups, but I never really thought I’d be an entrepreneur,” he shared. “I assumed I was set to become a lawyer; most of my family members are lawyers, and practicing law felt like a natural path.” However, the reality of legal education prompted him to explore alternative avenues.

The $3 Trillion Problem Discovered

The turning point came during a trademark class where Lee learned about the staggering global scale of counterfeiting. “One day, I took a trademark class and learned that counterfeiting is the world’s largest criminal enterprise, [$3 trillion](https://americanmarketer.com/2020/08/20/global-counterfeiting-expected-to-reach-2-8-trillion-by-2020-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) in counterfeit products traded every year, about 8% of global commerce,” he explained. The problem was already immense, but the COVID-19 pandemic amplified it significantly. “What struck me was that during COVID, as everything was moving online, this already massive market was growing 20% a year, fueled by marketplaces and social media.”

This wasn't just a legal issue; it was a technological one. Lee saw a universal problem ripe for a technological solution. “I saw it as a universal problem—and one that could be solved with the technology I was passionate about at the time: computer vision.” This powerful insight became the bedrock for what would eventually become MarqVision.

MarqVision: Where AI Meets Brand Protection

Founded in 2021, MarqVision, a name cleverly derived from “trademark” and “vision,” set out with an ambitious mission: to leverage AI-powered computer vision to combat counterfeiting and trademark infringement on a global scale. Fast forward to today, and the LA-headquartered AI startup has successfully closed a $48 million Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to an impressive $90 million. This significant investment underscores the growing investor confidence in AI’s ability to revolutionize traditional industries.

The infusion of capital is strategically allocated. Roughly half will bolster their AI and engineering teams, accelerating automation and integrating cutting-edge generative AI across their product suite. This move signals a commitment to staying at the forefront of AI advancements. An additional $10 million is earmarked for making the platform enterprise-ready, targeting larger brands and moving upmarket, while another $10 million will fuel regional expansion into new territories like Japan, reflecting the borderless nature of intellectual property law.

The AI-Led Services Revolution

This funding round, led by Peak XV Partners and supported by notable investors like Salesforce Ventures and HSG, highlights a key trend: investors are increasingly looking for companies that don’t just use AI to boost productivity, but to fundamentally transform service delivery. As Mark Lee puts it, “AI is expanding the total addressable market for software from efficiency tools into the execution of the work itself — unlocking a market opportunity of over $10 trillion.”

MarqVision's success story is a testament to this shift. Serving over 350 customers across diverse industries—from fashion and luxury to gaming, pharmaceuticals, and automotive—the startup has demonstrated remarkable growth, reaching $1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within eight months and recently crossing $20 million ARR in just four years, doubling annually. Their ambitious goal of reaching $100M ARR by mid-2027 speaks volumes about their scaled traction and clear vision.

“Growth could have been faster, but we prioritized two things: delivering the best customer experience and building a scalable AI-driven foundation,” Lee stated. “As a managed service, we can monetize many offerings, but everything ties back to one core promise—helping global brands control their digital presence and grow revenue.” This customer-centric, scalable approach is precisely what resonates with businesses today.

Beyond Detection: Revenue Recovery and Brand Control

Initially focused on detecting and removing counterfeit products, MarqVision’s evolution mirrors the broader advancements in AI. The startup has shifted its focus towards helping brands directly recover lost revenue. Today, clients often report a significant boost in sales, with some seeing as much as a 5% increase. This tangible revenue impact makes the platform invaluable not just to legal departments, but also to go-to-market teams focused on top-line growth.

The vision has expanded beyond mere detection and removal. MarqVision is moving towards end-to-end managed services, a far larger opportunity than originally conceived. “Brand protection typically involves detecting and removing infringements like counterfeits and impersonations, while brand control goes further, giving companies the ability to manage their presence across e-commerce, social media, websites, and chat platforms,” Lee explained. The roadmap includes even more sophisticated offerings like brand intelligence, providing deep insights into supply chains, pricing strategies, and reseller networks.

How AI is Empowering Businesses Like Yours

MarqVision's journey is a powerful illustration of how AI is democratizing access to sophisticated solutions for businesses of all sizes. While MarqVision targets large enterprises, the underlying principle – using AI to automate complex tasks, gain actionable insights, and protect brand integrity – is applicable across the board. Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) often face similar challenges:

• The overwhelming presence of counterfeit or misleading products online, damaging brand reputation and sales.
• Difficulty in monitoring and managing their brand presence across numerous e-commerce platforms, social media, and websites.
• Lost revenue opportunities due to unaddressed infringements or a lack of proactive brand control.
• The high cost and resource intensity of manual brand protection efforts.

This is where solutions like those offered by MAIKA come into play. Just as MarqVision leverages AI for global brand protection, MAIKA empowers SMEs to harness the power of AI for their specific needs. Whether it’s:

• AI-Powered Content & Website Enhancement: Ensuring your online presence is optimized and ranks higher, attracting more customers. Imagine product descriptions that are not only unique and engaging but also SEO-optimized, just like MarqVision helps brands manage their online listings.
• Actionable Business Insights: Gaining clarity from your data to make smarter decisions, much like MarqVision provides intelligence on supply chains and reseller networks.
• Business Process Automation: Streamlining repetitive tasks to boost productivity, freeing up your valuable time and resources – akin to how AI automates the detection and removal of infringements.
• Custom AI Chatbot: Engaging customers 24/7 with a personalized assistant that understands your business, ensuring no inquiry or potential sale is missed, similar to how MarqVision provides continuous support for brand management.

A Smarter Future for Brands

The story of MarqVision is more than just a funding announcement; it’s a narrative about the transformative power of AI. It highlights how intelligent technology can tackle complex, global problems, redefine service delivery, and unlock significant economic value. As Mark Lee envisions, “Our vision is to be the backbone of every global brand that owns IP — becoming the AI-led services platform for IP, content, and brand professionals worldwide.”

For businesses looking to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape, protect their brand, and drive growth, the message is clear: the future is AI-led. Embracing these technologies is no longer a luxury but a necessity for staying competitive and thriving.

Ready to explore how AI can revolutionize your business? Discover how MAIKA can help you automate, gain insights, and enhance your online presence. Learn more about MAIKA's solutions today!