Inside Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab: The $2B Seed and the Next AI Startup Wave

Analizing the largest seed round in history to find out how to maximise value as a founder and investor in AI

The AI Opportunity – Deep Dive:

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s new venture, Thinking Machines Lab, has burst onto the scene with a record-shattering $2 billion seed funding round.

Beyond the eye-popping valuation, this startup’s emergence carries significant meaning for AI founders and investors alike.

In this analysis:

1. We unpack Murati’s background, the details of the deal, the company’s mission and team, and what this all signals about the broader AI ecosystem.

2. We’ll also compare Thinking Machines Lab to other well-funded AI startups (Anthropic, Inflection, xAI, etc.).

3. Distill the 10 strategic insights for builders and backers in AI right now.

Chapter 1

Mira Murati’s Background and Why Her Move Matters

Mira Murati served as the Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, helping lead the development of ChatGPT and DALL·E. When Sam Altman was temporarily ousted, she even stepped in as interim CEO.

Her abrupt departure from OpenAI in 2024 shocked the AI community, but it foreshadowed the creation of something new: a research lab that reflects her own philosophy.

Murati’s move matters for three reasons:

1. Talent migration: A top AI leader is betting she can move faster and better outside OpenAI.

2. Credibility: She’s trusted by researchers and engineers, giving her an immediate edge in hiring and investor interest.

3. Strategic vision: Murati is building a more “collaborative,” open, and human-aligned form of AI, positioning Thinking Machines Lab as a philosophical counterweight to OpenAI and xAI.

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