Meta Poaches AI Startup Co-Founder With $1.5 Billion Package After Failed Acquisition

Oct 13, 2025
TechCrunch
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Summary

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg lures AI startup co-founder Andrew Tulloch away from Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab with a staggering $1.5 billion compensation package over six years after failing to acquire the entire company.

Key Points

  • Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of AI startup Thinking Machines Lab led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, announces his departure to join Meta
  • Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously attempted to acquire Thinking Machines Lab entirely, and when that failed, reportedly offered Tulloch a compensation package worth up to $1.5 billion over six years
  • Tulloch, who previously worked at OpenAI and Facebook's AI Research Group, cites personal reasons for his decision to leave the startup

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