Thinking Machines Lab, a startup led by Mira Murati, raised approximately $2 billion in one of the largest early-stage funding rounds in Silicon Valley. Despite lacking a product or clear business plan, the fledgling company has achieved a valuation of $10 billion within six months.
Funding History of Thinking Machines Lab
The recent deal closing for Thinking Machines Lab became one of the largest early investment rounds in Silicon Valley. The funding was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with backing from Sarah Guo through Conviction Partners. Investors received no information regarding the company's product or financial plan. However, Murati's reputation proved sufficient to secure the funds.
Team and Conflicts at OpenAI
Thinking Machines Lab has assembled a team of familiar faces from OpenAI, including John Schulman and Lilian Weng. Murati previously held a lead role at OpenAI, where she contributed to the development of ChatGPT and other tools. Her departure from OpenAI coincided with internal conflicts within the company, in which she was also involved.
Uncertainty of the Company's Future
Despite the successful fundraising, Thinking Machines Lab has yet to announce a release date for its products or what it is currently working on. The lack of public updates or even a website raises questions among investors who did not participate in the round.
Thinking Machines Lab exemplifies how startups can attract significant funding based on human resources and the reputation of their founders. However, the current uncertainty regarding the product and business model raises concerns about the sustainability of such an approach in the future.
