In a groundbreaking development for the artificial intelligence sector, former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has raised an impressive $2 billion in seed funding for her new venture, Thinking Machines Lab. The funding round, led by venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), also saw participation from industry heavyweights such as Nvidia, AMD, Accel, ServiceNow, Cisco, and Jane Street. This massive investment underscores the high expectations for Murati’s vision in the AI space.
Thinking Machines Lab, launched in February 2025, aims to revolutionize AI with a focus on multimodal systems capable of natural conversation, vision, and real-world interaction. Despite having no revenue or products yet, the startup has already achieved a staggering valuation of $12 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in Murati’s track record and the potential of her team.
Murati, who previously served as interim CEO at OpenAI, is known for her contributions to cutting-edge AI technologies. Her new company plans to unveil its first product within the next couple of months, with hints of a significant open-source component that could benefit researchers and other startups in the field.
The involvement of Nvidia, a leader in AI chip technology, and AMD signals the startup’s potential to push boundaries in AI hardware and infrastructure. This collaboration could provide Thinking Machines Lab with the technological edge needed to compete in a rapidly evolving market.
Industry experts view this funding round as a testament to the growing importance of AI innovation and the trust placed in OpenAI alumni to drive the next wave of technological advancements. The backing from a16z and other prominent investors also highlights the strategic importance of AI in shaping future industries.
As Thinking Machines Lab prepares to make its mark, the tech world watches closely to see how Murati’s vision will unfold. This $2 billion investment may just be the beginning of a transformative journey for AI development.
Alfred Lee
