Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has recently unveiled his latest venture, Lumi, a startup aimed at assisting creators in completing, publishing, and selling books and comics. Lumi offers a suite of AI tools designed to complement users’ existing talents and enhance the marketing and distribution of their creations.
Lumi’s primary objective is to address the fact that most individuals may not possess equal proficiency in every aspect of book creation and sales. The startup believes that AI can bridge these gaps by providing services such as producing illustrations for writers who lack drawing skills or assisting comic artists in crafting dialogue for their stories. Additionally, Lumi aims to support creators lacking expertise in marketing and sales by offering a platform for publishing and distributing their works.
Initially focusing on comic books and graphic novels, Lumi plans to adopt a subscription fee business model for its users. However, one aspect that remains unaddressed is the issue of ownership and copyright protection. The United States Copyright Office (USCO) has shown reluctance in granting protection to publications created using AI. Although USCO initially seemed open to the idea, it later reversed its policy and withdrew copyright protection for a comic book featuring AI-generated art. Lumi, on the other hand, appears to be navigating this issue cautiously, emphasizing that incorporating AI will streamline production and provide opportunities for a wider range of creators.
Colin Kaepernick, drawing from his own challenges in publishing, including high production costs, lengthy timelines, and industry skepticism, has been inspired to launch Lumi. He previously established Kaepernick Publishing to overcome these limitations. In a statement, Kaepernick expressed that Lumi aims to eliminate unnecessary dependencies on gatekeepers that hinder creators, allowing them to work freely and independently. This independence, according to Kaepernick, is vital for fostering a vibrant and diverse creative ecosystem.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding copyright protection, Kaepernick has managed to secure $4 million in venture capital funding for Lumi. The funding round was led by Seven Seven Six, a venture capital firm established by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.