Thinking Machines Lab Closes $2 Billion Seed Round
Thinking Machines Lab, a mysterious AI startup founded by Mira Murati, former chief technology officer of OpenAI, has successfully closed a significant $2 billion seed round, as reported by The Financial Times. This funding round has valued the startup, which is only six months old, at an impressive $10 billion.
Despite the buzz surrounding the company, the specifics of Thinking Machines Lab’s projects and goals remain shrouded in secrecy. The startup has capitalized on Mira Murati’s esteemed reputation in the AI field, along with the involvement of other renowned AI researchers on the team, to attract investors and secure what could potentially be the largest seed round in history. Insider sources cited by the FT reveal that Andreessen Horowitz spearheaded the funding round, with additional support from Conviction Partners led by Sarah Guo.
Mira Murati’s departure from OpenAI in September marked a significant turning point. During her tenure at OpenAI, she spearheaded the development of groundbreaking AI products such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, and voice mode. Notably, several of Murati’s former colleagues from OpenAI, including co-founder John Schulman, have joined her at the helm of this new venture.
In a series of executive exits from OpenAI in 2023, Mira Murati was among those who voiced concerns about CEO Sam Altman’s leadership. Following Altman’s temporary removal by the board in November of that year, Murati briefly assumed the role of interim CEO before Altman’s reinstatement.
