Open AI Startup Fund
Status
ACTIVE
Global HQ
San Francisco, United States
Countries of investment
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- India
- Israel
- Germany
- France
Investment stages
- Seed
- Series A
- Series B
- Series C
Industries
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Healthcare
- Law
- Education
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Sciences
- Enterprise AI
- FinTech
- Consumer AI
- Deep Tech
About
OpenAI Startup Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on backing early-stage AI companies with transformative potential. Their focus spans AI, healthcare, law, education, energy, infrastructure, and sciences across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Israel, Germany, and France. The firm supports AI founders from seed through Series C stages.
OpenAI Startup Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on backing early-stage AI companies with transformative potential. Their focus spans AI, healthcare, law, education, energy, infrastructure, and sciences across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Israel, Germany, and France. The firm supports AI founders from seed through Series C stages.
Investment Thesis
OpenAI Startup Fund is a seed to Series C stage venture capital firm deploying capital across healthcare, law, education, energy, infrastructure, sciences, and AI-powered productivity sectors. They invest $175M+ in early-stage AI startups pushing the boundaries of today's artificial intelligence, particularly those where AI tools can empower people to be more productive. The firm differentiates itself through direct access to OpenAI's leadership, technology, and API, plus $175M+ funding pool with backing from Microsoft and other OpenAI partners.
Manager's Experience
Launched in 2021 by OpenAI. Managed by Brad Lightcap (Managing Partner and OpenAI COO), Ian Hathaway (Partner), Sarah Guo (former Partner, now at Conviction). Small team of dedicated professionals with expertise in investing, ML, engineering, talent, and operations. $175M+ committed capital with backing from Microsoft and other OpenAI partners (OpenAI itself is not an investor). Team of 2 partners located in United States and India. Portfolio of 14+ AI companies with 4 unicorns and 2 acquisitions, including Speak, Harvey, Ambience, Kick, and other transformative AI companies across healthcare, law, education, energy, and productivity sectors.
Team
Ian Hathaway-General Partner & Fund Manager
Brad Lightcap-Managing Director
Sam Altman-Former Controlling Owner
Portfolio
Harvey
Speak
Descript
Mem
Figure AI
Ambience
Anysphere
Adaptive
Kick
Worktrace AI