Thinking Machines Lab
Thinking Machines Lab is an AI research and product company developing collaborative, multimodal systems with an emphasis on customization.
The Company
Thinking Machines Lab was founded in 2025 by Mira Murati and a group of former OpenAI researchers and leaders. Its stated ambition is to build multimodal AI that works naturally with people and supports collaborative use, rather than focusing solely on a single consumer assistant.
The company closed a reported $2 billion seed round in July 2025 at a $12 billion valuation. In 2026 it released Inkling, an open-weight model positioned around customization, giving outside observers an early product signal after its initial research-focused period.
Why It Matters
Thinking Machines Lab shows how investors are valuing founder quality, research talent, and AI optionality before a mature commercial business exists. Its progress is relevant to the competitive structure of frontier models, open-weight distribution, and the economics of building a new AI lab.
Valuation History
- Private→Feb 2025Company launch
- $12B→Jul 2025$2B seed financing
What Changed
Mira Murati introduces Thinking Machines Lab and its collaborative-AI mission.
The company closes a reported $2B seed round at a $12B valuation.
Thinking Machines releases Inkling, providing its first visible product and model-distribution signal.
THE NEXT COMPANY. A CLEARER PICTURE.
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