UPDATE: Former OpenAI executive Mira Murati is on the brink of a monumental funding round that could elevate her startup, Thinking Machines Lab, to a staggering valuation of up to $50 billion. This urgent development comes as negotiations are already underway, with potential valuations ranging from $50 billion to $60 billion depending on investor interest.
Thinking Machines Lab, launched just a year ago, is rapidly transforming into one of the highest-valued private startups globally. This announcement follows its remarkable $2 billion seed round secured in July 2024, marking one of the largest early-stage fundraising efforts in tech history.
The upcoming funding will be pivotal, aimed at bolstering several key initiatives. These include expanding research teams focused on model development and safety, scaling the compute and infrastructure necessary for training next-generation AI systems, and accelerating the adoption of Tinker, the company’s flagship product. Tinker is already being integrated by businesses and research institutions, including prestigious names like Stanford and Princeton.
The founding team, consisting of top talent from OpenAI, positions Thinking Machines as a formidable player in the AI sector. Murati, who was previously the CTO and briefly interim CEO of OpenAI, departed the organization in late 2024 amidst significant turbulence following Sam Altman’s ouster and return. She has since been joined by notable figures such as John Schulman, co-founder of OpenAI, and Barret Zoph, former VP of research, both of whom bring invaluable expertise in AI development.
Launched in February, Thinking Machines Lab aims to revolutionize human-AI collaboration by designing advanced models and creating tools that simplify the integration of AI into work processes. Early responses from both academic and enterprise users have been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the company to enhance Tinker’s capabilities and prepare for additional product launches that focus on making AI systems more adaptive and manageable.
As investments continue to flood into next-generation AI labs, Thinking Machines stands out for its ambitious goals, rapid innovation, and concentration of talent. The impending funding round could redefine early-stage valuation standards in the tech industry, marking a significant moment for the company and its stakeholders.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and watch for the impact of Thinking Machines Lab as it potentially reshapes the landscape of artificial intelligence.
