Black Forest Labs Launches API for Grok’s Powerful Image Generator

Black Forest Labs Launches Beta API and New Image Generation Model, Flux1.1 Pro

Black Forest Labs, the startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz and known for its role in powering xAI’s Grok assistant, has just launched a beta API along with a new image generation model. This latest offering allows developers to integrate its image generation suite, known as Flux, into their applications seamlessly. The API comes with various options, enabling the selection of specific Flux models along with features such as content moderation and customizable image resolution limits.

Today, Black Forest Labs introduced Flux1.1 Pro, its newest image generation model. This advanced model boasts a sixfold increase in generation speed compared to its predecessor, Flux.1 Pro, and can handle images up to a resolution of 2k (2048 × 1080), a feature expected to roll out on the API soon. According to a blog post from Black Forest Labs, Flux1.1 Pro enhances image quality, improves adherence to prompts, and increases diversity in generated images.

Besides its own platform, Flux1.1 Pro is also available through partnerships with companies like Together AI, Replicate, Fal.AI, and Freepik. Pricing starts at 2.5 credits per image, with 100 credits priced at $1. The new model requires 4 credits per image to access.

The company, based in Germany, recently emerged from stealth mode with $31 million in funding. Co-founded by the engineers instrumental in developing Stability AI's technology—Andreas Blattmann, Patrick Esser, Dominik Lorenz, and CEO Robin Rombach—Black Forest Labs has stirred up discussions following its partnership with xAI. The integration of Flux into Grok without sufficient safety measures led to numerous offensive image outputs. While the company has not revealed the training data used for Flux, evidence suggests that copyrighted material may have been included, potentially exposing them to legal challenges from rights holders.

With additional support from notable figures like Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and former Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe, Black Forest Labs is working on video generation models and is rumored to be raising $100 million at a staggering $1 billion valuation—a significant increase from its earlier valuation of $150 million.

The newly launched API plays a crucial role in this growth strategy, as developing and operating advanced models like these can be costly. Investors are keenly interested in seeing not only returns but also a clear path toward profitability.

However, breaking through in the competitive field of media generation will be a challenge for Black Forest Labs. The landscape is increasingly crowded, with strong competitors such as Ideogram, Pika, Luma, Runway, Stability, and Midjourney, alongside established giants like OpenAI and Google.

Keywords: AI, API, Black Forest Labs, Generative AI, Image Generation