Outlook Business Desk
OpenAI has revealed it is backing Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup co-founded by Sam Altman, saying the partnership aims to transform a bold concept into practical products for everyday use.
While OpenAI did not disclose its investment amount, a TechCrunch report said it was among the largest contributors to Merge Labs’ $250 million seed round, valuing the startup at around $850 million.
Merge Labs’ seed round, according to a Wired report, also attracted backing from Bain Capital and Valve founder Gabe Newell, underscoring growing interest from prominent figures across the technology and investment landscape.
Merge Labs describes itself as a research lab focused on bridging biological intelligence with artificial intelligence (AI) to expand human ability, agency and experience through long-term development of advanced brain-computer interface technologies.
The company was founded by Mikhail Shapiro, Tyson Aflalo and Sumner Norman, with entrepreneurs including Alex Blania, Sandro Herbig and Sam Altman joining in a personal capacity to support its long-term mission.
Merge Labs says it is developing new brain-computer interfaces that operate at high bandwidth, integrate closely with advanced artificial intelligence, and aim to remain safe, accessible and usable for a wide range of people.
Unlike Neuralink, which relies on surgically implanted chips, Merge Labs is exploring non-invasive techniques such as ultrasound and molecule-based neuron connections, aiming to avoid implants while enabling effective brain-computer interaction.
The startup says early products will focus on helping patients with injury or disease before expanding to enhance broader human capabilities, with decades-long development prioritising safety, privacy, accessibility and societal benefit.