William Wu’s third tour of the capital raise circuit in three years has eyebrows raised. Street Talk understands the crypto founder and Oaktree Capital alumnus is doing the rounds, this time seeking to raise $US5 million for a generative AI photography business.
and hired investment bank Lazard to raise $US100 million for a Series A. Wu admitted to Street Talk that no funds were raised. Artisse also wants to get into the advertising industry, pitching itself as the “world’s first AI advertising and talent agency”. Wu told Street Talk Artisse AI had signed binding terms with a UK investor for up to $6.7 million but declined to disclose the name citing privacy reasons.Artisse AI is Artisse Interactive’s consumer division, the brand under which Catheon Gaming also sits. SolChicks is part of the Catheon Gaming ecosystem.
Asked if investors have the right to be sceptical, Wu again said his previous venture was the victim of the downturn in the blockchain market and that Artisse AI was an attempt to quickly pivot.“We put our previous equity raise on hold given the broader blockchain market downturn over the last 1.5 years has adversely impacted the ability of any blockchain business to be profitable,” he said.