Thinking Machines Lab Secures $2 Billion Seed Funding, Valued at $12 Billion

Mira Murati's AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab (TML), has announced a record-breaking $2 billion seed funding round, propelling its valuation to $12 billion. The company, which specializes in AI model fine-tuning, recently launched its flagship product, Tinker, designed to democratize access to advanced AI capabilities for researchers and developers. The significant investment underscores growing confidence in TML's approach to making AI more accessible and customizable.Thinking Machines Lab, led by Albanian-American CEO Mira Murati, aims to simplify the complex process of fine-tuning AI models. Its product, Tinker, allows users to customize leading AI models like Meta’s Llama and Alibaba’s Qwen with minimal coding, removing the need for extensive computing infrastructure and specialized expertise. This platform is positioned as a crucial tool for AI engineers, enabling them to experiment and deploy AI more efficiently.The substantial seed funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with additional participation from major investors including Nvidia, AMD, Accel, ServiceNow, Cisco, and Jane Street. This capital injection is expected to fuel TML's growth, accelerate product development, and expand its market reach within the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The company’s rapid ascent to a $12 billion valuation highlights the intense investor interest in innovative AI solutions.Adding to the company's profile, TML recently resisted aggressive recruitment efforts from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who reportedly offered packages up to $1.5 billion to poach TML's talent. Despite these lucrative proposals, not a single employee defected, a testament to Murati's leadership and her team's commitment to the company's mission. Miles Brundage, a research scientist, alluded to this situation in a recent tweet, stating, "> If only there were an AI company that knows a thing or two about fine-tuning led by an Albanian-American CEO they could talk to."Murati, formerly the Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI where she oversaw the development of ChatGPT and DALL-E, founded Thinking Machines Lab in February 2025. Her vision centers on extending individual agency through AI, advocating for widespread and equitable distribution of AI capabilities. This philosophy positions TML as an alternative to dominant tech giants, focusing on openness and inclusion in the AI ecosystem.