A London-based startup founded by a former DeepMind creative lead has raised $13 million in seed funding to build an AI writing tool that prioritizes the writer's process over automated output. Marker emerged from stealth today with backing led by Index Ventures and LocalGlobe, alongside angel investors including Writely co-founder Steve Newman and Slack co-founder Cal Henderson.
The company describes its product as a "reimagined word processor" that supports writers through ideation, drafting, revision, and collaboration. Rather than generating text on command, Marker's AI is designed to write with the writer, helping to develop rough drafts and half-formed thoughts without taking over the creative act. Early testers have used Marker to write blogs, Substacks, business papers, memos, and novels, the startup said.
Features built for the writing process
Key features include ideation tools that help writers figure out what they want to say, writing tools aimed at keeping users in flow, revision support, and collaboration options that let writers add a co-writer or commenter. The focus stays on the messy, iterative stages of writing rather than instant polished text.
The launch comes amid growing unease about AI-generated slop. Earlier this year, Victor Riparbelli, CEO of London AI startup Synthesia, warned against "AI-sloppification" after a rise in documents produced by large language models.
Founders and funding
Marker was co-founded by Jon Steinback, who previously led brand and creative at DeepMind, and Ryan Bowman, who has built platforms for writers inside literary and talent agencies. Steinback said: "We're in a moment where people get to choose the future of writing, and I believe they will choose something that values the craft, rather than the slop brutally eroding it."
Georgia Stevenson, partner at Index Ventures, said: "Creative people deserve tools that understand their craft. Figma transformed how designers work together; Notion reimagined how teams organise ideas. But writing-the most universal creative act-got left behind, stuck between legacy word processors and automation tools. Marker offers a compelling new approach."
Why this matters for creatives
Marker's approach signals a shift away from AI that replaces human creativity toward tools that augment the messy, iterative nature of real writing. For creatives, this means more options that respect the craft rather than devalue it. As these tools enter the market, learning to integrate them thoughtfully becomes part of the creative skill set. AI for Creatives Courses can help professionals navigate this evolving space without losing their voice.
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