Shade Raises $14M to Reinvent Video Search for Creators

Finding the right clip in a sea of media files has long been a headache for creative teams. Now, a startup called Shade is stepping in with a fresh approach—letting users search their video libraries as easily as typing a sentence.

The New York-based company has raised $14 million in a funding round backed by Khosla Ventures, Construct Capital, and Bling Capital. The round, completed in March, brings Shade’s total funding to $20 million, with additional support from General Catalyst, SignalFire, and Contrary.

Built by Creators, for Creators

Shade was founded in 2024 by CEO Brandon Fan and CTO Emerson Dove, longtime friends who wanted to fix a problem they personally experienced. Existing tools like Dropbox often made it difficult to locate specific files, especially when dealing with large volumes of creative content.

Their solution? A cloud storage platform designed specifically for teams handling massive media libraries—think agencies, sports media groups, real estate firms, and even podcasters.

Fan describes Shade as more than just storage. Instead, it acts as a central hub where teams can organize content and build workflows around it—similar to how CRMs transformed contact management years ago.

Search Videos Like You Talk

One of Shade’s standout features is its natural language search. Instead of digging through folders manually, users can type queries like “a person holding a laptop in snow,” and the system will instantly find matching clips—down to the exact moment in the video.

This is powered by AI-driven auto-tagging, transcription, and even facial recognition for labeled individuals. It means users can search not just by filenames, but by meaning, dialogue, or visual elements.

No More Waiting for Downloads

Another key feature is Shade’s “streamable” file system. Unlike traditional platforms such as Google Drive, where large files must fully download before editing, Shade allows users to start working almost instantly.

Files can also be pinned for access in low-bandwidth environments, making it useful for teams working remotely or on the go.

Collaboration Built In

Shade doesn’t stop at storage and search—it also focuses heavily on teamwork. Users can leave comments tied to specific video timestamps, attach files for feedback, and share content through customizable links with different permission levels.

For client deliveries, teams can create branded collections with password protection and expiration dates, adding a professional touch to file sharing.

Competitive Space, Big Ambitions

Shade enters a growing market where startups like Poly and Memories.ai are also exploring AI-powered storage solutions. However, investors believe Shade stands out because it rebuilt the entire system from the ground up instead of adding AI features on top of existing tools.

Keith Rabois of Khosla Ventures noted that while AI has made content creation easier, managing that content is still messy—and that’s exactly where Shade fits in.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Shade plans to expand its search capabilities across more file types, including images and documents. The company is also working on a no-code platform that will allow teams to automate workflows without needing technical skills.

The goal is clear: to evolve from a smart storage tool into a complete operating system for creative work.

As content continues to explode in the AI era, tools like Shade could become essential for teams trying to stay organized—and stay ahead.

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