News
OpenAI and Sam Altman back Merge Labs, a Neuralink rival, at $850M valuation
Aug 14, 2025
Key Points
- OpenAI and Sam Altman invest $250 million in Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup, at an $850 million valuation.
- Merge Labs directly competes with Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-implant company, as AI leaders race to commercialize neural interface technology.
- The investment signals a broader bet by major tech executives on wearable and implantable AI access as the next frontier.
Summary
OpenAI and Sam Altman are backing Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup, with a $250 million investment at an $850 million valuation, according to the Financial Times. Much of the capital comes from OpenAI's ventures team.
Merge Labs competes directly with Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-implant company. The investment reflects a broader push by major AI leaders including Altman and Mark Zuckerberg to pursue neural interface technology as a path to wearable and implantable AI access. The transcript does not cover specifics on Merge Labs' technology, timeline, or clinical stage.