In a significant development within the AI sector, Sequoia Capital has confirmed that it is in discussions with Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, regarding her new startup, Thinking Machines Lab. This revelation was made by Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia Capital, during an interview with Bloomberg Television.
Murati, who left OpenAI in September 2024, has been making waves in Silicon Valley with her new venture. She has assembled a team of former OpenAI leaders to focus on developing artificial intelligence models and products that enhance human-AI collaboration. This approach aligns with the growing interest in AI technologies that can seamlessly integrate with human capabilities, potentially revolutionizing various industries.
Sequoia’s interest in Thinking Machines Lab reflects its confidence in AI-driven companies, particularly those led by former OpenAI executives. The firm previously backed Ilya Sutskever, another OpenAI alumnus, when he raised $1 billion for his startup Safe Superintelligence. Sutskever is now reportedly seeking additional funding that could value his company at over $30 billion.
The substantial investments in these AI startups highlight the star power of a few industry leaders and investors’ belief in their ability to leverage their success at OpenAI into future ventures. Despite not yet having fully developed products or revenue streams, these founders are attracting significant financial backing due to their track record and potential for long-term growth.
Alfred Lin emphasized Sequoia’s long-term investment strategy, stating that while the current entry price is important, it becomes less relevant when considering the future scale of these ventures. “The order of magnitude we think about today will surprise us in the long run,” he noted.
Murati’s new venture, Thinking Machines Lab, has already garnered attention for its ambitious goals in AI development. With a team of leading researchers and engineers from top tech companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral, the startup is poised to make significant contributions to the field of human-AI collaboration.
This development underscores the ongoing trend of AI leaders transitioning from established companies to new ventures, often with substantial financial backing. As the AI sector continues to evolve, investments in startups like Thinking Machines Lab are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology.
