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Accel in talks to lead $1 billion funding round for Thinking Machines

The prospective financing would value the artificial intelligence startup founded by Mira Murati at a minimum of $40 billion.

The short version

  • Thinking Machines is negotiating a $1 billion investment round, with existing backer Accel in talks to lead the deal.
  • The round would value the AI startup at at least $40 billion, up from a previous $12 billion valuation but below earlier reported targets of $50 billion.
  • The transaction remains unfinalized, and neither Accel nor Thinking Machines has publicly confirmed the discussions.

Key facts

  • Thinking Machines is in talks to raise $1 billion at a valuation of at least $40 billion, with venture firm Accel discussing leading the round.[TechCrunch]
  • A source familiar with Thinking Machines' finances reported that the company's annual revenue run rate exceeds $100 million.[TechCrunch]
  • Thinking Machines previously raised a $2 billion seed financing round led by Andreessen Horowitz at a $12 billion valuation.[TechCrunch]
  • The company has experienced notable departures, including co-founders Lilian Weng and Luke Metz returning to OpenAI.[TechCrunch]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the funding round will officially close under these terms remains unconfirmed, as representatives for Accel and Thinking Machines did not immediately comment.[TechCrunch]

Sources