Former OpenAI VP and Ex-DeepMind Scientist Raise $300M to Build AI-Powered Autonomous Labs
Summary
Former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and ex-DeepMind scientist Ekin Dogus Cubuk raise $300 million in seed funding to launch Periodic Labs, which combines autonomous robotic laboratories, high-fidelity simulation, and AI research assistants to accelerate materials science and superconductor development with backing from tech giants and over 20 elite scientists.
Key Points
- Former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and ex-DeepMind scientist Ekin Dogus Cubuk launch Periodic Labs, securing $300 million in seed funding to create AI-driven autonomous laboratories for scientific discovery
- The company develops a 'trinity' technology stack combining autonomous robotic labs, high-fidelity simulation, and LLM research assistants to accelerate materials science research and superconductor development
- Over 20 elite scientists from Meta, OpenAI, and DeepMind join the venture, with backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Jeff Bezos, and Eric Schmidt to revolutionize traditional scientific research methods