Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI, is reportedly on the verge of raising over $100 million for her new artificial intelligence (AI) startup, according to sources familiar with the matter, including Reuters. Murati, who played a key role in OpenAI’s groundbreaking developments such as ChatGPT, announced her departure last month but remained tight-lipped about her next venture.
Murati’s new startup will focus on developing AI products powered by proprietary models, although details about the startup’s direction remain scarce. The potential funding round is a significant one, particularly as she leverages her industry reputation and expertise, gained from over a decade in some of the world's most innovative tech companies.
Murati’s Career Journey
Murati began her career in 2011 as an intern at Goldman Sachs, delving into the world of fintech before transitioning into the aerospace industry at Zodiac Aerospace. However, it was her time at Tesla that shaped her expertise in AI-driven technology, where she worked on the company’s early versions of Autopilot and AI-powered robotics.
Murati’s most notable achievements came during her tenure at OpenAI, which she joined in 2018 as Vice President of Applied AI and Partnerships. By 2022, she had risen to the position of Chief Technology Officer, leading major AI advancements. Her influence stretched beyond technical contributions, as she played a central role in the product development and safety protocols of OpenAI’s flagship products, including the widely adopted ChatGPT.
She briefly served as interim CEO during a turbulent period when OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman was briefly ousted. Her leadership and vision have since drawn attention, not only for advancing AI but for promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
Murati’s exit is part of a larger wave of departures from OpenAI, which has seen several top executives leave in recent months. Barret Zoph, a researcher at OpenAI, left the company alongside Murati in September. Just weeks later, OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in the largest venture capital round in history, a move that cemented its dominance in the AI space.