Thinking Machines Lab, a stealth AI startup founded by former CTO of Openai Mira Murati, is reportedly seeking $2 billion in seed funding.
Business Insider reported Thursday that Thinking Machines Lab is aiming to raise more than $2 billion in venture funding, citing sources close to the deal. If successful, the company valuates it north of $10 billion despite having no products or revenue.
“The company raises more than $2 billion in venture funding,” Business Insider reported, citing people familiar with the issue. “That’s twice what Murati wanted two months ago when BI reported that BI was raising about $1 billion at a $9 billion valuation.”
This is a bold move for startups coming out of stealth mode. Thinking Machines Lab is currently not making any revenues, and nothing has been released yet. But it’s not blind. Not two months ago, the thinking machine reportedly chased a $9 billion valuation. Now, the target is jumping even higher.
Murati’s vision for AI
Thinking Machines Lab aims to build AI systems that work better with humans, not just humans. The company plans to make Open Science the core pillar. This expects to release research papers, datasets and models specifications along the way.
Murati has positioned the startup as a step towards making AI more accessible. “To bridge the gap,” she said. “We’re building a Thinking Machine Lab to make AI systems more broadly understood, customizable and generally competent.”
Before leaving Openai, Murati spent six years helping shape projects like ChatGpt. She temporarily served as interim CEO after Sam Altman’s expulsion and then returned to her CTO post when he was resurrected. With her departure six months ago, many people were closely watching what was coming next.
Heavyweight AI Team
The startup attracted a stacked lineup of AI researchers from Openai and other leading AI companies. Key recruitment includes:
John Schulman – co-creating ChatGpt, currently Chief Scientist Barrett Zoff – former Openai VP of Research and now Chief Technology Director Jonathan Lachman – former Openai Special Project Head Alexander Kirillov – worked on ChatGpt’s voice mode
According to a wired report, the company’s first 10 recruiting includes senior open executives as well as talent from Google Deepmind and Character AI. Murati also brings in the meta and human engineers and researchers, indicating that this is not a small operation.
It’s not difficult to see why investors are interested. The pitch is clear as Murati is at the helm and has a stacked roster of top-tier AI talents. This is a bet on people, not products, at least for now.
According to the company, the goal is to build AI systems that are “more widely understood, customizable, and generally competent” than what’s currently available.
That’s a big promise. But it’s not just going to raise one of the biggest seed rounds in history when the team behind Thinking Machines Lab pulls it apart.
Why is it important?
Thinking Machines Lab has the team, funding and ambitions to create waves with AI research. The pledge to keep things open (research, datasets, model details) lies in an area that is quickly becoming a secret.
It’s early days, but with Murati leading and deep benches of AI veterans, the startup can play a major role in shaping what’s coming next. As reported, if funds land, they will be instantly ranked as one of the most valuable AI ventures to spin out of Openai’s alumni network.
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