OpenAI Startup Fund
Corporate VCSan Francisco · Seed–Series A · 2 people tracked
Also known as Open AI Startup Fund · OPENAI STARTUP FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC
Investment thesis
The fund partners with early-stage startups pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in domains where AI can have a transformative effect, including healthcare, law, education, energy and infrastructure, and the sciences. It seeks companies using AI tools to make people more productive. The fund is managed by a team with expertise across investing, machine learning, engineering, talent, and operations. Its investors include Microsoft and other OpenAI partners, though OpenAI itself is not an investor. Founders from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to reach out.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 11, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 7 of 7 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×6Enterprise Software ×4SaaS ×3Biotech ×1Creator Economy ×1Cybersecurity ×1Defense Tech ×1Fintech ×1
HQs:United States×2United Kingdom×1
Investments · 7 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathAdaptive Security provides security awareness training, phishing attack simulation, and email security solutions designed to defend against AI-powered attacks, deepfakes, and social engineering threats.
CybersecurityEnterprise Software
Brian Long(Founder & CEO)in
Descript is a video creation and editing platform that enables marketing and product teams to produce and update video content quickly using text-based editing.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSSan Francisco, US
Kundan Kumar(Director)Andrew Mason(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAlex Rampell(Director)Nabeel Hyatt(Director)
Unify provides AI agents that handle routine business tasks across communications, sales, operations, and engineering by executing pre-built workflows or custom automation.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaSLondon, GB
Daniel Lenton(Founder)in
Valthos develops AI systems to identify biological threats and design medical countermeasures in real time for biodefense applications.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDefense TechNew York, US
Kathleen McMahon(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardTess Van Stekelenburg(Director)
Worktrace enables teams to build and deploy AI agents with zero setup required.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise Software
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesHarvey · itbrief.asia · Jul 17, 2026
Unify · m.economictimes.com · Jul 15, 2026
Kick · tech.eu · Jul 3, 2026
Worktrace Ai · globalventuring.com · Jun 22, 2026
Adaptive Security · prnewswire.com · Jun 9, 2026
Valthos · finance.yahoo.com · Oct 29, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does OpenAI Startup Fund invest at?
- OpenAI Startup Fund invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is OpenAI Startup Fund's typical check size?
- OpenAI Startup Fund typically writes checks of $1M.
- What sectors does OpenAI Startup Fund focus on?
- OpenAI Startup Fund focuses on AI & Machine Learning, EdTech, Energy, Healthtech, LegalTech, Media & Entertainment, SaaS.
- Where is OpenAI Startup Fund located?
- OpenAI Startup Fund is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
- Does OpenAI Startup Fund lead rounds?
- Yes, OpenAI Startup Fund leads investment rounds.
Images
Co-investors · 12
Andreessen Horowitz's Strategic Partnerships page describes collaborations that connect its portfolio companies with established institutions to help scale and deploy their technology.
Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm that partners with founders to build technology companies, with a strong current focus on artificial intelligence.
GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a venture investment firm that backs founders across many industries, aiming to build long-term relationships and support companies across multiple stages and milestones.
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm known for backing bold, contrarian bets in world-class teams that can reshape entire industries.
Bain Capital Ventures is the venture arm of Bain Capital, backing founders from incubation and seed through growth-stage, leveraging Bain Capital's global platform, industry expertise, and network.
Kleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm that backs founders across technology and life sciences, with a portfolio of companies from early stage through growth.
Accel is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional founding teams, positioning itself as a first partner to startups globally.
DST Global is a global internet-focused investment firm that backs fast-growing, high-value internet companies. It does not solicit or accept retail investors.
Oak HC/FT is a growth equity firm that partners with founders building companies in healthcare and financial services, with a focus on enterprise technology and AI.
Buckley Ventures is a venture capital firm that makes concentrated early-stage investments in internet, software, and frontier technology companies.
Firms observed investing alongside OpenAI Startup Fund, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with OpenAI Startup Fund's recorded portfolio.
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