Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, secures $2B in funding at a $12B valuation. Learn how her open-source, multimodal AI is set to reshape the tech world.
San Francisco – Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, has made headlines once again. Her new startup, Thinking Machines Lab, has raised a massive $2 billion in seed funding, valuing the company at $12 billion—just five months after it was founded in February 2025.
Backed by big names like Nvidia, Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, Cisco, ServiceNow, and AMD, the funding signals a strong vote of confidence in Murati’s vision of the future of artificial intelligence.
A Record-Breaking Seed Round
This $2 billion round is one of the largest ever for an early-stage tech startup. It reflects not only Murati’s reputation in the industry but also the soaring demand for next-generation AI tools.
“Mira Murati’s leadership at OpenAI laid the foundation for this moment,” said tech analyst Sarah Lin. “This funding round marks a major shift in how the industry views AI’s future.”
Who Is Mira Murati?
Murati led the development of ChatGPT and DALL·E during her time at OpenAI. She stepped down in late 2024 and soon after launched Thinking Machines Lab with a bold mission: to build multimodal AI systems that can understand and generate not just text, but also images, and potentially audio and video.
Her approach sets the company apart by focusing on open-source AI, making tools more accessible to researchers, startups, and developers around the world.
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What Does Thinking Machines Lab Do?
Thinking Machines Lab is working on multimodal AI—technology that can process multiple types of data at once. For example, it could scan a medical image, read a patient’s history, and produce a complete report instantly. This could transform healthcare, education, finance, and creative industries.
Their first product is expected later this year and will include a major open-source component. This means developers across the globe will be able to contribute to and benefit from it.
“We’re building AI to empower human discovery,” Murati said.
Investors Betting Big on the Future
The investor list reads like a who’s who of Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Nvidia and AMD are global leaders in AI hardware. Cisco and ServiceNow suggest enterprise interest. Accel is a long-time backer of high-growth startups. Even Jane Street, a major trading firm, has joined in—possibly eyeing AI applications in finance.
“This is more than just funding—it’s a strategic alliance,” said Michael Chen of Andreessen Horowitz. “Thinking Machines Lab is set to lead the next wave of AI development.”
Why Open-Source Matters
While most big AI players like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft rely on closed systems, Thinking Machines Lab is going the open-source route. This means parts of their technology will be freely available for anyone to use and improve.
This not only encourages innovation but also addresses growing concerns about AI transparency and ethical use. It gives smaller companies and independent developers access to powerful tools—without paying expensive license fees.
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Challenges Ahead
Despite the early buzz, the road ahead won’t be easy. Thinking Machines Lab will have to compete with tech giants already investing billions into AI. Regulatory challenges around data privacy, fairness, and energy use are also growing.
But with Murati’s experience, a clear vision, and a strong support network, the company is well-positioned to make an impact.
What’s Next?
The company is rapidly hiring top talent from OpenAI, Google, and other leading firms. Its first product, due by the end of 2025, is expected to set the tone for its future. Industry experts are watching closely to see how it compares to established models like GPT-4 or Google Gemini.
From smarter healthcare tools to creative design software, Thinking Machines Lab’s AI could become a game-changer across industries.
A Sign of AI’s Growing Influence
This development is part of a broader trend. AI startups are drawing record investments. In 2024, Anthropic, another company founded by ex-OpenAI leaders, was valued at $18.4 billion. Thinking Machines Lab is now hot on its heels.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how we work, learn, and live, Mira Murati’s new venture stands out for its focus on collaboration, transparency, and accessibility.
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