OpenAI has invested in Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup founded by Sam Altman. Positioned as a competitor to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Merge Labs aims to bridge biological and artificial intelligence. With a seed round of $250 million at an $850 million valuation, the company promises safe, scalable neural interfaces.
OpenAI has announced its investment in Merge Labs, a frontier technology startup focused on developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Merge Labs seeks to create safe, scalable neural technologies that allow humans to interact directly with artificial intelligence through brain signals.
The investment underscores OpenAI’s ambition to expand beyond software into hardware and human augmentation, while intensifying Altman’s rivalry with Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Key Highlights
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Funding Round: Merge Labs raised $250 million in seed funding, with OpenAI among the largest backers.
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Valuation: The company is valued at $850 million.
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Mission: To bridge biological and artificial intelligence, enabling high-bandwidth, safe brain-computer interfaces.
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Other Backers: Bain Capital and Gabe Newell (Valve co-founder) also invested.
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Strategic Vision: Merge Labs aims to make BCIs practical, scalable, and useful for everyday human-AI interaction.
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Industry Context: Neuralink has focused on medical applications like paralysis treatment, while Merge Labs emphasizes broader human augmentation and AI integration.
This partnership signals a new era where AI companies are investing in neurotechnology to redefine how humans interact with machines, potentially reshaping both healthcare and everyday computing.
Sources: Mint, Times of India, Business Today, OpenAI Blog