Versa
Versa AI is a Shanghai-based artificial intelligence company founded in 2017 that develops computer-vision-powered video and image editing apps — Cooclip and Makaron — for content creators, with a research lab publishing at top AI conferences and creator-economy partnerships with Bilibili.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Versa does
Versa AI, operated by Shanghai Yi Tian Network Technology Co., Ltd. (上海懿天网络科技有限公司), is a Shanghai-based artificial intelligence company founded in February 2017 that develops computer-vision-powered video and image editing applications for content creators, primarily in the Chinese market. The company's product portfolio centers on two consumer-facing mobile apps: Cooclip (不咕剪辑), an AI-powered video editing tool featuring industry-leading real-time video matting (background removal) that gained traction among Bilibili UP主 (content creators) within one month of launch, and Makaron (马卡龙玩图), an AI image editing app offering hair-level image matting, artistic filters, templates, ID photo generation, and avatar creation that was named App Store China's Best App of 2019. The company operates Versa AI Lab, a dedicated research division publishing computer vision research at top-tier venues including ACM MM and AAAI, with work spanning real-time deep matting on mobile devices, image inpainting, few-shot generation, and multi-attribute transfer.
Versa AI monetizes through consumer-facing mobile applications distributed via the Apple App Store and Google Play, supplemented by a creator incentive program (创作者激励计划) that pays Bilibili UP主 and designers for content produced using Cooclip and Makaron. The company has raised approximately $71 million across six funding rounds between 2017 and 2020 from ZhenFund, Sequoia China, Tencent, Bilibili (which led two rounds), and Goldpot Capital — notably with strong strategic alignment from Bilibili for creator-economy integration. The company is led by founder/CEO Cai Tianyi (蔡天翼) and founder/CTO Zhao Weijie (赵维杰), who also serves as Director of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Brain Science and AI Joint Laboratory. Headcount sits at 51–100 employees, and the company is actively operating as of the most recent confirmed event (Cooclip Professional PC launch, November 2021).
Versa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Versa
- Legal name
- 上海懿天网络科技有限公司
- Website
- https://versa-ai.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Versa AI is a Shanghai-based artificial intelligence company founded in 2017 that develops computer-vision-powered video and image editing apps — Cooclip and Makaron — for content creators, with a research lab publishing at top AI conferences and creator-economy partnerships with Bilibili.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Versa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Creative Software
- NAICS
- Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Short-Form Video Creation, Editing & Templates Apps (MPACAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Real-Time Vision at the Edge (on-device CV/video) (HDAAAJAE)
Keywords
Where Versa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Versa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service: Subscription-based cloud-delivered service contracted through Versa Networks B.V. (Netherlands entity) for EU-controlled infrastructure.
- VersaONE Universal SASE Platform: Integrated platform combining SD-WAN, SSE, and security capabilities sold as subscriptions or licenses to enterprises.
- AI-Driven Security Features: AI-powered capabilities including data protection and operational insights bundled into the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise platform with integrated security and networking capabilities |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Versa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Versa develops AI-powered video and image editing applications for content creators. Its flagship product Cooclip (不咕剪辑) uses AI-driven video matting for background removal in video editing, while Makaron (马卡龙玩图) provides AI-powered image editing with one-click matting, artistic filters, templates, ID photo generation, and holiday cards. The company serves Chinese content creators on platforms such as Bilibili (B站), Xiaohongshu, and Douyin, and operates a research division (Versa AI Lab) publishing computer vision research.
Product overview
Versa operates as two distinct entities: (1) Versa Networks is a SASE specialist offering the VersaONE Universal SASE Platform - a unified security and networking platform combining networking and security functions. The platform includes modules like Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Versa Secure Enterprise Browser, Versa Inbound SSE, Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service, and Versa Secure SD-WAN. Versa Networks recently added zero trust controls for AI agents via its Model Context Protocol (MCP) architecture. (2) Versa AI is an AI-powered content creation company offering video and image editing tools including Cooclip (不咕剪辑) for video editing with AI video matting capabilities, and Makaron (马卡龙玩图) for image editing with AI image matting, artistic filters, and templates. Versa AI operates a research division (Versa AI Lab) publishing computer vision research at top conferences. The company supports a creator ecosystem with incentive programs and has raised funding from Bilibili, Tencent, and Sequoia China.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cooclip (不咕剪辑): AI-powered video editing tool with video matting, effects, and templates designed for video creators, particularly popular among Bilibili content creators.
- Makaron (马卡龙玩图)
- Versa AI Lab
Products and services
- Cooclip (不咕剪辑) AI-powered video editing mobile application whose core capability is AI video matting (background removal) with hair-level precision, plus stickers, audio, and meme素材. Designed for video creators, particularly those on Bilibili (B站), with built-in creator incentive programs.
- Makaron (马卡龙玩图) AI-powered image editing mobile application featuring one-click image matting, hair-level background removal, artistic filters, templates, ID photo generation, holiday cards, avatars, and posters. Popular among Xiaohongshu and Douyin content creators; won App Store China Best App 2019.
- Cooclip Professional (不咕剪辑专业版) Desktop PC version of the Cooclip video editing software, designed as the first PC video editing tool built specifically for Bilibili (B站) UP主 (content creators) on desktop platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85-90 percent of Versa's top 100 customers already have sovereign deployments in place
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Versa
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Versa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
Versa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ZscalercoreVersa unveiled an integration between Versa Secure SD-WAN and Zscaler Internet Access, aimed at extending Zero Trust security and automating secure connectivity for modern production and branch environments. This complements Zscaler's identity-first, AI-aware Zero Trust platform narrative.
- IntelcoreIntelligent Edge partnership utilizing Intel Xeon 6 processors with Intel AMX to enable real-time AI inference without latency for distributed enterprise operations. The collaboration supports Versa's edge AI workload deployment capabilities.
- SwisscomcoreSwisscom launched its beem service in Switzerland on Versa's sovereign architecture, representing the first carrier-grade sovereign SASE deployment at national scale. This demonstrates Versa's capability to support large-scale carrier deployments.
- Fortress SolutionsminorFortress Solutions provides logistics and field services support for Versa deployments, including spares management, rapid logistics, and on-site technical services to help ensure network uptime and resiliency. Supports Versa's global network infrastructure through advanced inventory management and rapid hardware replacement via its FortressONE platform.
- AirAsia rewards (Capital A)minorStrategic partnership where AirAsia rewards, the loyalty arm of Capital A, partnered with Versa (Malaysian digital wealth management platform) to expand into financial services. AirAsia members receive welcome rewards for signing up as Versa users.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Versa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Snow (SNOW Corporation): AI-powered selfie, photo, and video editing app popular in Asia. Offers AR effects, beauty filters, and short-form video creation comparable to Versa AI's products.
- CapCut: ByteDance-owned AI-powered short-form video editing app offering template-based editing, auto-captions, background removal, and effects. Direct competitor to Cooclip with significantly larger scale and TikTok distribution.
- PicsArt: AI-driven photo and video editing platform with templates, background removal, and generative AI tools for creators. Comparable to Versa AI's combined Cooclip + Makaron offering across both image and video.
- Meitu: Chinese AI photo/video editing company behind Meitu Xiuxiu and BeautyCam apps. Direct competitor to Versa AI in the Chinese creator tools market with similar AI-powered beauty and editing features.
- KineMaster: Multi-layer mobile video editing app with AI features (auto captions, background removal, smart editing). Targets same creator segment as Cooclip with broader global reach.
- InShot: Popular mobile video editing app for short-form social content creators. Offers AI-powered effects, transitions, and trimming features comparable to Cooclip.
- VivaVideo: Mobile video editing app with AI features including background removal and template-based editing. Targets short-form video creators similar to Versa AI's Cooclip.
- Splice: Mobile video editing app by Bending Spoons with AI-powered effects and creator-focused features. Direct competitor in the mobile creator tools space.
Broad incumbents
- Adobe Premiere Rush: Adobe's mobile video editing app extending the professional Creative Cloud ecosystem. Competes in mobile creator tooling but within Adobe's broader content creation suite.
Emerging players
- Lensa AI: AI-powered image editing app specializing in avatar generation and stylization. Emerging player in AI creator tools with similar generative AI capabilities as Versa AI's Makaron.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Versa social profiles
Digital presenceVersa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Versa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Versa subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Versa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Versa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Versa
What does Versa do?
Versa develops AI-powered video and image editing applications for content creators. Its flagship product Cooclip (不咕剪辑) uses AI-driven video matting for background removal in video editing, while Makaron (马卡龙玩图) provides AI-powered image editing with one-click matting, artistic filters, templates, ID photo generation, and holiday cards. The company serves Chinese content creators on platforms such as Bilibili (B站), Xiaohongshu, and Douyin, and operates a research division (Versa AI Lab) publishing computer vision research.
Is Versa a public or private company?
Versa is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Versa founded?
Versa was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Versa based?
Versa is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does Versa make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service is the primary driver. The others are versaONE Universal SASE Platform and AI-Driven Security Features.
Who are Versa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Snow (SNOW Corporation), CapCut, PicsArt, Meitu, KineMaster, InShot, VivaVideo and Splice. Adobe Premiere Rush is listed as a broad incumbent. Lensa AI is listed as an emerging player.
Does Versa have an API?
No public API is recorded for Versa.
What industry is Versa in?
Versa's product category is Consumer Creative Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAHAE, Short-Form Video Creation, Editing & Templates Apps, with a secondary code of HDAAAJAE, Real-Time Vision at the Edge (on-device CV/video). Its NAICS code is 51219 and its SIC code is 7812.