Joe Rogan Experience for AI Episode: Linkup Raises $3.2M to Give LLMs Paywalled Articles
Release Date: December 8, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience for AI," the host delves into the innovative strides of Linkup, a burgeoning AI startup from France. Linkup is making waves by legally connecting Large Language Models (LLMs) to premium, paywalled content—a solution poised to address significant challenges in the AI and publishing industries.

Overview of Linkup

Linkup has emerged as a pivotal player aiming to bridge the gap between AI models and premium content sources. By developing an accessible API, Linkup enables developers to integrate high-quality, paywalled web content into their LLMs seamlessly. This approach not only enriches the data available to AI models but also ensures that content creators and publishers are fairly compensated.

The Challenge: AI Access to Premium Content

The podcast highlights the contentious relationship between AI developers and content publishers, exemplified by the lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI. The host explains:

A (00:50): "You could give it a link to a URL of premium content on New York Times and ChatGPT... would summarize it for you. The New York Times sued them because they were giving away our paywall premium content for free."

This scenario underscores the legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding AI models' ability to access and utilize paid content without appropriate licensing or compensation.

Linkup's Solution: API and Retrieval-Augmented Generation

Linkup addresses these challenges through its API, which leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). This technology allows AI models to access and incorporate premium content legally by ensuring that publishers are compensated for their content. The host elaborates:

A (02:15): "They're building an API that essentially lets developers get access to web content, but also and especially premium web content from sources that they can include into their LLMs."

This method not only provides AI models with up-to-date and high-quality data but also fosters a sustainable ecosystem where content creators can monetize their work.

Creating a Marketplace for Publishers and Developers

One of Linkup's standout features is its creation of a marketplace that connects publishers of all sizes with AI developers. This platform democratizes access to premium content, enabling smaller publishers to participate without the intimidating prospect of legal battles against large AI companies. The host explains:

A (04:10): "For smaller publishers that can't afford or fund these big huge lawsuits, they can partner with a company like Linkup who can add them to their marketplace."

This marketplace model ensures that smaller content providers gain visibility and revenue streams, leveling the playing field in the digital content ecosystem.

Impact on Developers and AI Applications

Linkup's integration capabilities offer significant benefits to AI developers. By providing access to diverse and high-quality content, developers can enhance their applications' performance and reliability. The host shares a practical example:

A (04:55): "One of our customers built an internal application for their salespeople. Thanks to Linkup, they get fresh quality information on their prospects and integrate it into their LLM, generating effective sales pitches for their reps."

This integration not only improves the functionality of AI applications but also adds tangible value to end-users by providing relevant and timely information.

Competitive Landscape and Market Position

While Linkup is a frontrunner in this niche, the podcast acknowledges the presence of competitors like Scale Post. Scale Post is currently aiding Perplexity in accelerating their licensing deals with publishers. Despite the competition, confidence in Linkup remains high due to its robust approach and growing market presence.

A (05:20): "There is competition in this field, which I will mention. The biggest one is Scale Post... but I have a lot of confidence in Linkup and I'm excited to see where they go."

Funding and Growth Prospects

Linkup has successfully raised €3 million (approximately $3.2 million USD) in their seed round, securing investments from Alexo Capital, Monteer Ventures, Seedcamp, and around 100 business angels. This diverse investment base not only validates Linkup's business model but also positions them for substantial growth. The startup currently employs around 10 people with plans to double its workforce in the coming year, indicating strong expansion ambitions.

Insights from the Founding Team

The founders emphasize their target market and the practical applications of their technology. One co-founder articulates:

A (06:05): "We're really targeting applications that are implementing AI in their own products. For example, creating an AI application using a model for Mistral or OpenAI, enriching it with external premium data."

These insights highlight Linkup's strategic focus on enhancing AI applications across various industries by providing essential data enrichment services.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode wraps up with a positive outlook on Linkup's trajectory. The host expresses enthusiasm about the company's potential to transform how AI models interact with premium content while ensuring fair compensation for content creators. Linkup is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI-driven applications and the digital content landscape.

A (07:10): "All in all, a very interesting company. Very excited. I'll keep you up to date on everything happening with them."

Final Thoughts

For listeners interested in the intersection of AI, technology, and business, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of Linkup's innovative approach to solving a pressing issue in the AI ecosystem. By facilitating legal access to premium content, Linkup not only enhances AI capabilities but also fosters a more equitable digital content environment.

Notable Quotes:

• A (00:50):
  "The New York Times sued them because they were giving away our paywall premium content for free."

• A (02:15):
  "They're building an API that essentially lets developers get access to web content, but also and especially premium web content from sources that they can include into their LLMs."

• A (04:55):
  "One of our customers built an internal application for their salespeople. Thanks to Linkup, they get fresh quality information on their prospects and integrate it into their LLM, generating effective sales pitches for their reps."

• A (06:05):
  "We're really targeting applications that are implementing AI in their own products. For example, creating an AI application using a model for Mistral or OpenAI, enriching it with external premium data."

• A (07:10):
  "All in all, a very interesting company. Very excited. I'll keep you up to date on everything happening with them."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.