OpenAI Startup Fund
Early-stage capital tied to the OpenAI ecosystem.
Corporate VC & StrategicsFirmUnited States
Target market
Early-stage AI-application companies
Geography
United States
Overview
The OpenAI Startup Fund, launched in 2021 with $175 million plus SPVs, backs early-stage companies applying frontier AI, pairing capital with early access to OpenAI models and technical support — portfolio names include Harvey, Descript, Speak and Anysphere (Cursor). Its unusual original structure, with Sam Altman as the fund's GP, was resolved in 2024 when control transferred to Ian Hathaway.
Key facts
- Launched 2021 with $175M in committed capital plus SPVs
- Backed Harvey, Descript, Speak and Anysphere (Cursor)
- Ran the Converge accelerator cohorts for AI founders
- Sam Altman's GP role transferred to Ian Hathaway in 2024