Quick Brief
- The deal: OpenAI is participating in Merge Labs’ seed financing; financial terms were not disclosed by OpenAI.
- The impact: Investors and AI companies will race to combine high-bandwidth brain interfaces with foundation models, affecting neuroscience, device makers, and assistive tech.
- The context: Merge pursues non-invasive, ultrasound-based approaches and plans tight AI integration; regulators and ethics frameworks will shape rollout.
OpenAI confirmed it is participating in Merge Labs’ seed round as part of a wider push to couple next-generation brain-computer interfaces with large AI models. The company posted the announcement on January 15, 2026, and described Merge as a research lab building high-bandwidth interfaces that pair biology, devices, and AI.
What’s New
- Investment and size: Merge Labs came out of stealth this week with reports that the seed round totals roughly $250–252 million and a reported valuation near $850 million; OpenAI’s participation reportedly included one of the largest single checks. OpenAI’s post did not disclose dollar amounts.
- Founding team: Merge’s roster includes researchers Mikhail Shapiro, Tyson Aflalo, and Sumner Norman plus entrepreneurs Alex Blania, Sandro Herbig; Sam Altman is listed as a co-founder in a personal capacity.
- Technical approach: Public reporting and Merge’s founders emphasize non-invasive, ultrasound-forward techniques to read and interact with brain signals, with AI used to interpret intent and filter noisy signals.
- OpenAI’s role: OpenAI will collaborate on scientific foundation models and tools to accelerate bioengineering, neuroscience, and device engineering tasks tied to high-bandwidth interfaces.
Why It Matters
Merge joins a crowded, capital-intensive field that now includes implant-focused firms and non-invasive rivals. OpenAI’s direct backing signals two things: first, the company sees BCIs as a strategic input channel for AI; second, it wants an early position on the software stack that will interpret brain signals into useful commands. That combination of high-bandwidth hardware plus large models could change how products interact with users, from assistive devices to developer tools.
Investors will watch three variables closely: technical bandwidth (how much usable signal a device can reliably extract), safety and robustness of interpretation layers, and the regulatory pathway for human use. OpenAI’s investment reduces technical execution risk for Merge, but it increases scrutiny from privacy and safety stakeholders.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Reported detail / status |
|---|---|
| Funding (seed) | Reported by Bloomberg ~$250–252M total; OpenAI a major participant (OpenAI did not disclose amount). |
| Valuation (reported) | ~ $850M (reported by multiple outlets). |
| Founders / leadership | Mikhail Shapiro, Tyson Aflalo, Sumner Norman; entrepreneurs Alex Blania, Sandro Herbig; Sam Altman (personal capacity). |
| Primary tech approach | Non-invasive ultrasound-based sensing and stimulation; aims for higher bandwidth than current non-invasive modalities. |
| OpenAI contribution | Collaboration on scientific foundation models and R&D tools for device and signal interpretation. |
| Timeline / pricing | No product timelines or pricing disclosed publicly at announcement. |
Strategic analysis
Short term, Merge’s announcement and the seed raise will sharpen investor and competitor focus on non-invasive BCI pathways. Companies that currently target invasive electrodes (for example, legacy implant makers) may need to accelerate non-invasive alternatives to protect market share and regulatory goodwill. In parallel, AI providers must invest in signal interpretation stacks and safety layers that can operate with noisy biological inputs.
From a market perspective, analysts place the BCI market in the low billions today with multi-year high-growth forecasts; estimates vary widely by firm and segmentation (invasive vs non-invasive). The size and velocity of capital flowing into Merge reflect expectations that AI-native sensor stacks could unlock higher-value use cases faster than hardware-alone plays.
Regulators and clinical gatekeepers will dictate pace. High-bandwidth access raises unique safety, consent, and security questions particularly if devices move from therapeutic use to augmentation. Firms that combine device engineering with transparent safety frameworks and third-party audits will win trust and market access.
What’s Next
- Merge will likely publicize more technical detail and hiring moves in the coming months as it moves from research to prototype. Expect partnerships across academia and translational labs.
- OpenAI may prototype foundation models for neural signal interpretation and agent-level interfaces; watch OpenAI research channels and Merge job listings for concrete signals.
- Regulatory milestones: preclinical validation, human trials, and FDA or equivalent clearances will define commercial timelines. Policymakers will face pressure to clarify rules for non-invasive augmentation versus medical devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did OpenAI announce about Merge Labs?
OpenAI said it is participating in Merge Labs’ seed round and will collaborate on scientific foundation models and tools.
How much funding did Merge Labs raise?
Reporting indicates roughly $250–252 million in a seed round; OpenAI did not disclose an internal figure.
What technology does Merge Labs use?
Merge emphasizes non-invasive, ultrasound-based methods to read and interact with brain activity.
When will Merge’s products be available?
Merge and OpenAI disclosed no product timelines; next steps include research, prototypes, and regulatory stages.
