Leonardo AI
By Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI is an Australian technology company specializing in generative artificial intelligence for creative content production. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Sydney, the company has rapidly become a leader in AI-powered tools for image, video, and 3D asset generation. Its platform is designed to empower creators-from hobbyists to professionals in industries like marketing, design, entertainment, architecture, fashion, and education-by streamlining the creation of high-quality visual assets with advanced AI models and user-friendly workflows.
Leonardo AI was co-founded by JJ Fiasson (CEO), Chris Gillis (CFO), Jachin Bhasme (COO), and Peter Runham (CTO), with Ellie Miller as Chief People Officer. The founding team combined expertise in AI, technology, and business strategy, enabling the company to move quickly from concept to market. Since its launch in late 2022, Leonardo AI has experienced explosive growth, amassing over 19 million registered users within two years and surpassing 30 million users by early 2025. This rapid adoption reflects the platform’s ability to address a significant market need for efficient, high-quality content creation.
Leonardo AI has raised a total of $31 million in funding, reaching a Series A stage before its acquisition. Its last known funding round valued the company at $80 million. Secondary market estimates prior to acquisition placed its valuation at approximately $53 million, although the acquisition price by Canva was higher, reflecting strong market confidence in Leonardo AI’s growth and technology.
AI Image Generation: Create images in diverse styles, from photorealistic to anime and painterly, using advanced models like Phoenix, Lightning XL, and Anime XL.
3D Texture Generation: Produce high-resolution textures for game development and digital art.
AI Canvas Editor: Refine, edit, and customize images with precision, supporting inpainting, style transfer, and real-time adjustments.
In August 2024, Leonardo AI was acquired by Canva, a global leader in visual communication tools. The acquisition enables Leonardo AI to operate independently while benefiting from Canva’s resources, accelerating R&D and expanding its global reach. Leonardo’s technology is being integrated into Canva’s Magic Studio suite, promising new AI-driven capabilities for millions of Canva users.
Leonardo AI is recognized for rapid feature development. In 2024, it launched the Phoenix foundational model, which set new standards for prompt adherence and high-resolution image generation. Other notable features include consistent character generation, transparent background mode, advanced style reference, and image-to-image generation. The platform regularly updates its models and tools to stay at the forefront of generative AI technology.
Leonardo AI’s culture emphasizes speed, collaboration, ownership, impact, and empathy. The company values diversity and inclusion, encourages rapid innovation, and fosters a supportive environment where employees are empowered to take initiative and maximize their impact. Integrity, creativity, and customer focus are central to its mission, with a commitment to ethical AI development and user empowerment.
Leonardo AI has built a vast and engaged user base, with over 30 million users worldwide as of 2025. Its community spans hobbyists, professional designers, marketers, architects, educators, and more. The company maintains active community spaces on Discord and Facebook, where users share creations, collaborate, and support each other. Leonardo AI’s community team runs programs to foster engagement, spotlight creators, and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
