Thinking Machines Lab, an enigmatic AI startup launched by Mira Murati—former CTO of OpenAI—has achieved a remarkable milestone: securing a $2 billion seed funding round. This impressive injection of capital values the six-month-old company at a staggering $10 billion, making it potentially one of the largest seed rounds in history.
While details about the company’s specific projects remain under wraps, it’s clear that Murati’s reputation and the involvement of renowned AI researchers have played a crucial role in attracting top-tier investors. Leading the funding round was venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, with additional support from Sarah Guo’s Conviction Partners.
Mira Murati’s departure from OpenAI last September marked a significant shift. She was instrumental in developing some of OpenAI’s most iconic products, including ChatGPT, DALL-E, and voice mode. Several of her former colleagues, including co-founder John Schulman, have joined her at Thinking Machines Lab, fueling speculation about the innovative AI solutions the startup might be developing.
Murati is also known for her leadership during a turbulent period at OpenAI, when she and others raised concerns about CEO Sam Altman’s leadership. Following Altman’s unexpected ousting in November 2023, Murati served as interim CEO before his swift reinstatement, highlighting her influential role in the AI community.
With such a high-profile team and substantial funding, Thinking Machines Lab is poised to make significant waves in the AI landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on this ambitious startup’s journey and groundbreaking innovations.
