Fundraising Fox

Arthur Mensch

Unicorn founder

Research Scientist at DeepMind · Co-founder & CEO at Mistral AI

Paris, France

FoundedMistral AI$14BDeepMind

About

Arthur Mensch co-founded Mistral AI in May 2023 and built Europe's flagship AI lab, whose September 2025 Series C — €1.7 billion led by ASML — valued it at €11.7 billion (~$13.7B). A product of the French elite-math pipeline (Polytechnique, Télécom Paris, the MVA master at ENS Paris-Saclay, a Paris-Saclay PhD in machine learning for brain imaging), he was a research scientist at DeepMind in Paris, where he co-led the Chinchilla paper that reset the field's scaling laws and contributed to Flamingo. He founded Mistral with Guillaume Lample and Timothée Lacroix, both then at Meta AI, and has become Europe's leading voice for open-weight models and AI sovereignty. TIME named him to its 100 innovators list in 2024; France knighted him in 2025.

Beyond investing

Founded
Mensch co-founded Mistral AI in May 2023 with Guillaume Lample and Timothée Lacroix.
Education
Studied at École Polytechnique (2011) Studied at Télécom Paris Studied at École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay (Master's, Mathematics, Vision, Learning (MVA)) Studied at Inria / NeuroSpin (CEA, Saclay) (PhD, predictive models and stochastic optimization for large-scale functional MRI analysis, 2018) PhD at Inria/NeuroSpin under Bertrand Thirion, Gaël Varoquaux, and Julien Mairal, on large-scale machine learning for functional MRI.
Communities
In September 2023 he joined the generative AI expert committee established by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, and he has testified before the French Senate and National Assembly. Prominent advocate for open-weight models and European AI sovereignty.
Awards
Mensch was included in Time magazine's Time 100 innovators list in 2024, the only Frenchman on the list that year. He was appointed Knight of the National Order of Merit on 15 May 2025. In 2024 the magazine Challenges ranked him among the wealthiest French people. Named to the TIME 100 innovators list in 2024, reportedly the only French entrant that year.
Family
He is the son of a businessman father and a physics teacher mother, and was raised in Ville-d'Avray near Paris. Some reports mention he became a father in 2024. Born in 1992 in Sèvres, raised near Paris by a physics-teacher mother and a father who ran a tech company.
More
Co-lead author of DeepMind's 2022 Chinchilla paper (Training Compute-Optimal Large Language Models), which reset LLM scaling laws. Contributed to DeepMind's Flamingo multimodal model and retrieval-augmented architectures.

Mentioned above: the Télécom Paris mafia → · the DeepMind mafia →

From Arthur's own website — common ground for a warm intro.

Research Scientist at DeepMind

Intro paths

→

In turn, Arthur can intro founders to DeepMind's investors below.

DeepMind's investors · 3

Founders FundSan Francisco · $500K – $5M checksHorizons VenturesHong Kong · $1M – $110M checksLong Journey VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $1M checks

Co-founders at DeepMind

DHDemis Hassabis
Demis HassabisCo-founder & CEO
SL
Shane LeggCo-founder & Chief AGI Scientist
MSMustafa Suleyman
Mustafa SuleymanCo-founder

Co-founder & CEO at Mistral AI

Intro paths

→

In turn, Arthur can intro founders to Mistral AI's investors below.

Mistral AI's investors · 20

Andreessen HorowitzMenlo Park · $500K – $50M checks · since 2026BpifranceParis, Ile-De-France · $270K checks · since 2026ConvictionSan Francisco · $1M – $25M checksDatabricks VenturesSan FranciscoEmerson Collective InvestingPalo Alto · $100K – $1M checksEuropean Investment FundLuxembourgFactorial FundsSan Franciscofirstminute capitalLondon · $1.3M – $3.8M checksGeneral CatalystSan Francisco · $30M checks · since 2026Index VenturesSan Francisco · $540K – $10.8M checksIntegra GroupeMenlo Park · $100K – $200K checksKima VenturesParis · $50K – $5M checksKorelya CapitalParisLightspeed Venture PartnersMenlo Park · $1.7M – $87M checks · since 2026Millennium New HorizonsSilicon ValleyMillennium Technology Value PartnersBelgradePUSH VenturesViennaredalpineZug · $108K – $2.2M checksSV AngelSan FranciscoValkyrie Ventures Management, LlcPark City

Co-founders at Mistral AI

GLGuillaume Lample
Guillaume LampleCo-founder & Chief Scientist
TLTimothee Lacroix
Timothee LacroixCo-founder and CTO
TL
Timothée LacroixCo-founder & CTO

Experience

  1. Mistral AICo-founder & CEOcurrent2023 — presentParis, France
  2. DeepMindStaff Research Scientist2023Paris, France
  3. DeepMindSenior Research Scientist2022 — 2023
  4. DeepMindResearch scientist2020 — 2022Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France
  5. Ecole normale supérieurePost-doc researcher2018 — 2020
  6. NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical SciencesVisiting researcher2019NYC, USA
  7. InriaPhD student2015 — 2018
  8. Ensae ParisTechTeaching assistant2018Palaiseau, France
  9. NTTVisiting researcher2017Kyoto, Japan
  10. Lycée Pasteur (Neuilly)Teaching assistant2014 — 2015Neuilly sur Seine, France
  11. McGill UniversityIntern researcher2014School of Computer Science
  12. OptionIntern developer2013Santiago du Chili, Chili
  13. Lycée HocheTeaching assistant2012 — 2013Versailles, France

Education

  1. Université Paris-SaclayPhD, Machine learning2015 — 2018
  2. École PolytechniqueMaster of Science, Engineering degree2011 — 2015
  3. École Normale Supérieure Paris-SaclayMaster of Science, Mathematics2014 — 2015
  4. Télécom ParisMaster of Science, Computer Science2014 — 2015

Skills & more

Languages English · French · Spanish

From Arthur's professional profile.

Podcasts & interviews

featuring Arthur Mensch

Creating a European AI unicorn

McKinsey · mckinsey.com

Mistral's Arthur Mensch: Are Foundation Models Commoditising

20VC · open.spotify.com

Open Models (w/ Arthur Mensch)

a16z Podcast · a16z.com

Frequently asked questions

Where does Arthur Mensch work?
Arthur Mensch is Research Scientist at DeepMind and Co-founder & CEO at Mistral AI.
What companies did Arthur Mensch found?
Arthur Mensch founded Mistral AI, DeepMind.

Paths to reach Arthur

People who overlapped with Arthur at the same organization — a shared school or employer with one of them is a warm way in.

Together at DeepMindArthur: Research Scientist

Demis Hassabis2020–2023Co-founder & CEO of Google DeepMindUniversity of CambridgeMustafa Suleyman2020Co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI; CEO of Microsoft AIMarc Apicella2022CEO at BelidorColumbia University · Harvard University · Harvard University Graduate School of DesignBehnam Neyshabur2020–2023Founder at MirendilSharif University of Technology · Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

Together at Mistral AIArthur: Co-founder & CEO

Jan Hammer2023–2026Investor at Index VenturesAiglon College · INSEAD · University of OxfordJulia Andre2023–2026Investor at Index VenturesÉcole nationale des ponts et chausséesPierre-Eric Leibovici2023–2026Investor at DaphniBabson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business · University of Paris I: Panthéon-SorbonneJordan Segall2023–2026Partner at Redpoint VenturesRay Cheng2023–2026Managing Partner at Millennium New HorizonsUniversity of PennsylvaniaChristian Miele2023–2026Investor at HeadlineCBS International Business School · INSEAD

Together at Ecole normale supérieureArthur: Post-doc researcher

Marie Bardinet2019–2020Investor at DaphniCEMS - The Global Alliance in Management Education · Collège Stanislas Paris · Ecole normale supérieureAlexander Sinclair-Wilson2018–2019执行董事 at Qiming Venture PartnersUCL · University of CambridgeAnne Bouverot2018–2020Independent Board Member at ElaiaTélécom ParisPaul Pouyanne2018–2019Vice President at Cathay InnovationCollège des Ingénieurs · Ecole normale supérieureLouise-Marie Rakotoarison2018–2019Analyst at Kurma PartnersCollège Stanislas Paris · Ecole normale supérieure · ENS Paris-SaclayConstance Gontier2020Associate at SerenaEPFL

Together at McGill UniversityArthur: Intern researcher

Laviva Mazhar2014Principal at Luge CapitalCFA InstituteMaxime Bucaille2014Principal at Draper AssociatesColumbia Business School · McGill UniversityKarl Ilias Auersperg2014Investment Analyst at C5 CapitalMcGill University · Wellington CollegeBlanche Ajarrista2014Partner, Head of Strategy at White Star CapitalIE Business School · McGill UniversityUsamah Khan2014Vice President, Head of Data & Technology at White Star CapitalHult International Business School · International School of GenevaAlex Barrett2014General Partner at Inovia CapitalMcGill University · The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) · University of Melbourne

Together at Lycée HocheArthur: Teaching assistant

Léopold Lambert2013Partner, Head of Product at OSS VenturesÉcole nationale des ponts et chaussées · Lycée Hoche · The University of TokyoDiane Yakovlev2012Investment Manager at Supernova InvestEcole Nationale Supérieure de Géologie · IFP School · Lycée HocheAurelien Mashhour2012Family Officer at Ivesta Family OfficeLycée Hoche · NEOMA Business School · University of Manitoba

Together at InriaArthur: PhD student

Michal Valko2015–2018Investor at KAYAENS Paris-Saclay · Universidade Nova de Lisboa · University of Pittsburgh

Founder mafias

École Polytechnique mafia69

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Thomas WolfFounded Hugging FaceMatt RouifB.SFounded Photoroom +3Anne OsdoitMaster of Science (MS)Founded Moon Surgical +2Jean Yves StephanIngénieur de l'Ecole Polytechnique (Master's degree)Founded Data Mechanics +1Pierre-Louis BiojoutCycle IngénieurFounded NanoCorp +1Yudi DingMAFounded Hide biotech +1

+ 62 more

Télécom Paris mafia18

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Karim BoustaBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded Tactix +2Tancrede CollardFounded QuestDB +1Fabrice de GaudemarFounded SqreenZouhair BelkouraSignal ProcessingFounded KeepSafeAlexandre HuckertManagement of New TechnologiesFounded LifenBruno MaisonnieringenieurFounded Anotherbrain

+ 11 more

ENS Paris-Saclay mafia13

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Jerome de Tycheyéconomie et gestionFounded ComethBruno VegrevilleMaster's degreeFounded HeraGeoffrey NegiarMaster of Science (M.S.)Founded The Forecasting CompanyRaphael KriefMRes MVAFounded WeelSamuel MarcianoMaster 2 (M2) Mathématiques Vision Apprentissage - MVAFounded WeelSylvanus MaheMaster's degree in MathematicsFounded Flott HQ

+ 6 more

Université Paris-Saclay mafia9

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Samantha ZennouDiplôme d'état de Docteur en PharmacieFounded AqemiaMilan StankovicMaster 2 RechercheFounded LeadbayKarim BouriLicenceFounded WealorSruthi ViswanathanMaster's degreeFounded Deep InteractionsChouaib MeziadiDoctorat en génétique végétale.Founded Core BiogenesisTawfiq Nasr AllahDoctor of Philosophy - Ph. D.Founded Fairbrics x-tech-robotics

+ 2 more

DeepMind mafia8

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Demis HassabisCo-founder & CEOFounded Isomorphic LabsMustafa SuleymanCo-founderFounded Inflection AIAravind SrinivasResearch InternFounded PerplexityGabriel PereyraResearch ScientistFounded HarveyMarc ApicellaProductFounded BelidorBehnam NeyshaburSenior Staff Research Scientist & Team LeadFounded Mirendil

+ 1 more

Same school

Also attended Université Paris-Saclay24

Louis DessalSenior Associate at Partech VenturesAlexandra EychenneCompliance & Risk Officer at Partech VenturesAnne-Valérie BachManaging Director at CapagroMelinda JosephVP of Marketing & Investor Relations at InVitro CapitalPierreInvestor at Sanofi VenturesRémi SpagnolPartner at Supernova Invest

+ 18 more

Also attended École Polytechnique151

Thomas WolfCo-founder & Chief Science Officer of Hugging FaceCyriac ParisotInvestor at Index VenturesPauline BoucherInvestor at DaphniMichal NatoraSenior Investment Director - Industrial IT & Robotics at Emerald Technology Ventures AgPascal Levy-GarbouaVenture Partner at Long Journey VenturesPhilippe VarinSenior Technical Partner at GVP Climate

+ 145 more

Also attended École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay16

Michal ValkoInvestor at KAYAJerome de TycheyInvestor at ATKALouise-Marie RakotoarisonAnalyst at Kurma PartnersSarah LoertscherAssociate at ISALT - Investissements Stratégiques en Actions Long TermeJerry ChenInvestor at Mucker CapitalBruno VegrevilleFounder at Hera

+ 10 more

Also attended Télécom Paris47

Cyril CollonGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesJean SiniGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesJulien-David NitlechManaging Partner at Iris CapitalJonathan DenaisInvestment Director at EducapitalHenri MoissinacInvestor at FELIX CAPITALNoémie Bristol CourgeonInvestment Director at Axeleo Capital

+ 41 more

Shared employers

Also worked at DeepMind53

Demis HassabisCo-founder & CEO of Google DeepMindMustafa SuleymanCo-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI; CEO of Microsoft AIAravind SrinivasCo-founder & CEO of Perplexity AIGabriel PereyraCo-founder & President of HarveyJeff RoseAdvisor at AI CapitalVishal MainiFounder & Managing Partner at Mythos Ventures Management, Llc

+ 47 more

Also worked at Ecole normale supérieure14

Sofia DahouneInvestor at DaphniChristophe JurczakPartner at QuantonationAlexander Sinclair-Wilson执行董事 at Qiming Venture PartnersSasha LuccioniInvestor at Blue Tulip VenturesAnne BouverotIndependent Board Member at ElaiaLouise-Marie RakotoarisonAnalyst at Kurma Partners

+ 8 more

Also worked at NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences2

Francesca GnuvaInvestor at AudaciousFrank RimalovskiExecutive Director at NYU Innovation Venture Fund

Also worked at Inria27

Sandeep BhadraGeneral Partner at Vertex VenturesKathy PhamInvestor at Blue Tulip VenturesMichal ValkoInvestor at KAYAJean KrivineInvestor at ATKAProf. Sandeep ShuklaProfessor & Director, IIIT Hyderabad at T-HubLaurent KottVenture Partner at Elaia

+ 21 more