TLDR: Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO, has made history with her new AI venture, Thinking Machines Lab, by closing an unprecedented $2 billion seed round at a $12 billion valuation. This landmark funding not only sets a new record in venture capital but also highlights the immense potential of AI to tackle global challenges and significantly impacts the landscape for female founders in the tech industry.
Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI and a key figure in the creation of ChatGPT, has shattered venture capital records with her new company, Thinking Machines Lab. The AI startup recently confirmed the closure of a staggering $2 billion seed round, valuing the company at an impressive $12 billion. This monumental investment marks the largest seed round ever recorded in the history of venture capital and startups, signaling a new era of confidence in transformative AI ventures.
Murati, an Albania-born founder, left OpenAI earlier this year to establish Thinking Machines Lab. While specific details about the company’s product remain largely undisclosed, sources familiar with Murati’s vision indicate that Thinking Machines Lab is focused on developing powerful AI systems designed to address some of the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change and disease eradication. The company aims to integrate insights from various fields, such as science and policy, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to AI development.
The record-breaking funding round was led by prominent investors including Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from industry giants such as NVIDIA, Accel, ServiceNow, CISCO, AMD, and Jane Street. This substantial backing underscores the intense investor appetite for groundbreaking AI innovation, even for pre-product ventures. The valuation of Thinking Machines Lab reportedly surged from $10 billion to $12 billion in just a month, reflecting the rapid escalation of interest in promising AI endeavors.
Beyond its sheer size, Murati’s achievement holds profound significance for female founders in the tech industry. In 2024, startups with at least one female founder collectively raised $38 billion. However, companies founded solely by women accounted for a mere 2.1% of total venture capital dollars, amounting to $3.7 billion across approximately 800 deals. Murati’s $2 billion seed round defies these persistent gender disparities, redefining what is possible when visionary leadership aligns with significant capital. A report by Female Founders Fund and Inc. highlighted that women-founded startups demonstrate remarkable capital efficiency, generating $0.78 in revenue for every dollar raised, compared to $0.31 for male-led ventures, and were responsible for 24% of all exits last year.
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Thinking Machines Lab is entering a competitive landscape dominated by established AI leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. The substantial $2 billion investment is crucial for the company to acquire the necessary compute resources and top-tier talent to compete effectively and overcome the years-long head start of its rivals. Murati has stated that the company plans to release its new product, which will include a significant open-source component, in the coming months, aiming to democratize access for researchers and startups developing custom AI models. This strategic approach is expected to benefit businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders as AI systems continue to evolve.
