OpenAI’s Startup Fund has quickly established itself since its inception in 2021, raising a total of $175 million for its main fund along with an additional $114 million through five special purpose vehicles. The fund is backed by external investors, including significant contributions from Microsoft.
Managed by a dedicated team, the OpenAI Startup Fund has invested in over a dozen startups, demonstrating a broad interest across various sectors. The following companies have received funding:
- 1X: A Norwegian humanoid robot startup that secured $23.5 million in early 2023.
- Ambience Healthcare: This AI medical note-taking startup raised $70 million in February 2024.
- Anysphere (Cursor): OpenAI’s fund led an $8 million seed round in October 2023.
- Chai Discovery: Focused on drug discovery, it raised $30 million in September 2023.
- Class Companion: An edtech startup that raised $4 million in 2023.
- Descript: This audio and video editing platform received $50 million in a Series C round.
- Figure AI: Raised $675 million in February 2024, valuing the company at $2.6 billion.
- Ghost Autonomy: The autonomous driving software company raised $55 million in April 2023.
- Harvey AI: Legal tech startup that raised $21 million in April 2023.
- Heeyo: An educational AI chatbot for kids that raised $3.5 million in August.
- Kick: Developing AI agents for bookkeeping, it raised $9 million in October.
- Mem: An AI-powered note-taking startup that raised $23.5 million in November 2022.
- Milo: An AI personal assistant for parents, which received undisclosed pre-seed funding.
- Physical Intelligence: Raised $70 million in a seed round and participated in a $400 million Series A.
- Speak: An AI language learning app developer that raised $27 million in November 2022.
- Thrive AI: Aiming to raise $10 million for its AI health coach startup.
- Unify: Secured approximately $19 million in seed and Series A capital.
The OpenAI Startup Fund continues to explore opportunities across various industries, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation.
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