Founder Story: JJ Fiasson of Leonardo AI
From Philosophy to Pixels: The Unconventional Path
JJ Fiasson's path to becoming a leader in the AI industry was anything but conventional. Born and raised in Australia, Fiasson's academic journey began at the University of Sydney, where he pursued a unique combination of studies.
In 2006, Fiasson graduated with distinction, earning a Bachelor of Liberal Studies with Honors in Philosophy and Immunology. This interdisciplinary background would later prove invaluable, providing him with a unique perspective on problem-solving and innovation.
Not content with just one degree, Fiasson continued his education, obtaining a Master's in International Security, International Business, and Studies in 2013. This diverse educational foundation laid the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial endeavors, equipping him with a broad understanding of global markets and security concerns – crucial knowledge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The Tech Journey Begins
Fiasson's professional journey in the tech world began even before he completed his formal education. From 2003 to 2007, while still pursuing his bachelor's degree, he worked as an IT Consultant at A PC Genious. This early exposure to the tech industry provided him with practical experience and insights into the world of information technology.
Following his stint as an IT consultant, Fiasson took on a role as a research assistant at the University of Sydney from January 2007 to December 2008. This position allowed him to hone his research skills and deepen his understanding of academic and private research methodologies.
In November 2012, Fiasson joined Engage Online (now known as Quantica) as a technical director. This role marked a significant step in his career, providing him with experience in a company that specializes in improving business vision, market positioning, and overall business strategy.
The Entrepreneurial Leap
Fiasson's entrepreneurial spirit truly began to shine in April 2008 when he founded and became the managing director of a cloud business technology firm. For 12 years, he led this company, guiding it through significant growth until its acquisition by ASX-listed Spirit Telecom in early 2020.
In 2015, Fiasson co-founded a fintech mortgage business in Surry Hills, Sydney. This venture showcased his ability to identify market needs and develop innovative solutions. The company built smart technology to revolutionize the mortgage application process for homeowners. After six years of hard work and investment, the business settled nearly AUD 1 billion in loans before being acquired by private equity group Exit Solutions Pty Ltd in 2021.
The AI Revolution Begins: Birth of Leonardo AI
The culmination of Fiasson's diverse experiences and entrepreneurial journey came in 2022 with the founding of Leonardo AI. This powerful AI platform was poised to revolutionize content production in gaming and other entertainment industries, specializing in generative AI content and research.
Leonardo AI's mission was clear from the outset: to democratize creativity through cutting-edge generative AI technology. The platform enables the fast creation of high-quality visual assets with tools for image and video generation, AI-powered sketching, and custom model training.
"Da Vinci was both an artist and an inventor," Fiasson explained, reflecting on the company's name. "I've always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and creativity."
Building the Dream Team
Recognizing the importance of a strong founding team, Fiasson brought together a group of talented individuals to co-found Leonardo AI:
- Chris Gillis: Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer
- Jachin Bhasme: Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
- Peter Runham: Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
- Ellie Miller: Chief People Officer
This diverse team brought together a range of skills and experiences, crucial for the company's rapid growth and innovation.
Rapid Growth and Industry Impact
Leonardo AI's growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. In less than two years since its founding, the platform has amassed over 19 million users. This rapid adoption speaks volumes about the platform's ability to meet a significant market need and the quality of its AI-generated content.
The company's impact on the creative industry has been substantial. Leonardo AI has enabled professionals across advertising, marketing, e-commerce, and other sectors to generate high-quality visual assets with unprecedented speed and ease.
Innovation at the Core: The Phoenix Model
In June 2024, Leonardo AI released Phoenix, Australia's first generative AI foundational model. This breakthrough showcased the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology.
"It's been a very interesting journey for us as a company to be at the forefront of developing Australia's first foundation model," Fiasson reflected. "We managed to do something that we feel is quite substantial and beneficial for pushing the bar forward within the Australian environment."
The development of Phoenix was a testament to Leonardo AI's innovative spirit and ability to compete with global tech giants, despite having a relatively small research team and limited resources.
The Canva Acquisition: A New Chapter
In July 2024, Leonardo AI reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by Canva, Australia's largest privately held technology company. This acquisition was a testament to Leonardo AI's value and potential in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The deal, while financial terms were not disclosed, was reported to surpass Leonardo AI's last funding round valuation of $80 million. This acquisition positioned Leonardo AI to accelerate its growth and innovation, leveraging Canva's resources and global reach.
Flow State: The Next Frontier
Following the Canva acquisition, Leonardo AI continued to innovate. In early 2025, the company launched Flow State, a groundbreaking feature that allows for extremely high-speed outputs and a new way of interacting with image generation.
"We call it Flow State because it's so fast and seamless and encourages creative exploration," Fiasson explained. "It's very flexible – it can do anything from a cute creature to photorealism to images with text in them."
The development of Flow State showcased Leonardo AI's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI-powered creativity, even after its acquisition by Canva.
Partnerships and Technological Advancements
Leonardo AI's success has been bolstered by strategic partnerships, particularly with Google Cloud. The company leverages Google's Gemini and Vertex AI to power its rapid image generation capabilities.
"Our partnership with Google has allowed us to build at pace and continue scaling our user base really effectively," Fiasson noted.
This collaboration has enabled Leonardo AI to achieve consistent sub-five-second response times for image generation, a key factor in the platform's user experience and competitive edge.
Industry Recognition and Future Vision
Leonardo AI's impact on the creative industry has not gone unnoticed. Paul Migliorini, Vice President of Google Cloud for ANZ, praised the company's achievements:
"Leonardo AI is a prime example of Australia's opportunity in generative AI, and how it can be used to turn ambitious ideas into vivid realities."
As for the future, Fiasson and his team continue to push the boundaries of AI-powered creativity. With a growing user base, cutting-edge technology, and the backing of Canva, Leonardo AI is well-positioned to shape the future of digital content creation.
Closing Thoughts
JJ Fiasson's journey from a philosophy and immunology student to a pioneer in AI-powered creativity is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. Through Leonardo AI, Fiasson has democratized access to high-quality visual content creation, empowering millions of users worldwide.
His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of diverse experiences, strategic partnerships, and a relentless commitment to innovation. As AI continues to reshape industries, leaders like Fiasson will play a crucial role in ensuring that these powerful technologies enhance human creativity rather than replace it.
In Fiasson's own words, the future of AI-powered creativity is about "enabling people to interact with image generation in a bit of a different way." As Leonardo AI continues to evolve under Canva's umbrella, it's clear that this vision of accessible, powerful, and intuitive AI-driven creativity is well on its way to becoming a reality.
References
- https://ictmirror.com/featured/leonardo-ai-ceo-jj-fiasson/
- https://www.capitalbrief.com/article/a-match-made-in-heaven-inside-canvas-blockbuster-leonardoai-acquisition-43bf03ac-89df-4549-ad55-abfdd677c093/preview/
- https://rocketreach.co/jj-fiasson-email_388507864
- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/e29-jj-fiasson-co-founder-and-ceo-of-leonardo-ai/id1734069930?i=1000675271767
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/leonardoai
- https://contactout.com/jj-fiasson-25491
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4AhQJsd43g
- https://martech.org/canva-acquires-genai-startup-leonardo-ai/
- https://www.forbes.com.au/news/innovation/leonardo-ai-founder-jj-fiasson-on-flow-state-phoenix-and-google-cloud/
- https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent