A team of former OpenAI and Google DeepMind researchers has ignited a major venture capital surge, securing a record-breaking $300 million seed investment for their new startup, Periodic Labs—a move that signals growing confidence in AI’s potential to transform real-world scientific discovery[1][2][7].
Periodic Labs was co-founded by Liam Fedus, formerly a vice...
Periodic Labs was co-founded by Liam Fedus, formerly a vice president of research at OpenAI, and Ekin Dogus Cubuk, who led materials science research at Google DeepMind[1][2]. The company, which recently emerged from stealth, is developing artificial intelligence systems designed not just to analyze data, but to autonomously conduct physical experiments in fields such as physics, chemistry, and materials science[2][4]. This ambition marks a significant departure from current AI applications, which largely focus on processing existing datasets; instead, Periodic Labs aims to create “AI scientists” that can hypothesize, design, and execute new experiments, generating proprietary data in the process[2][4].
The $300 million funding round, reportedly led by Andreessen...
The $300 million funding round, reportedly led by Andreessen Horowitz, is one of the largest seed investments in history, reflecting a broader shift in venture capital toward ambitious, tangible applications of AI[1][2]. The round also attracted participation from major tech players including Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, Eric Schmidt, and Google’s Jeff Dean[2]. While the startup’s valuation has not been officially disclosed, industry observers see the investment as a strong vote of confidence in the founders’ vision and track record[1][2].
Periodic Labs’ approach builds on the founders’ previous wor...
Periodic Labs’ approach builds on the founders’ previous work: Fedus was instrumental in scaling large language models at OpenAI, while Cubuk pioneered AI-driven materials design at DeepMind[2]. The company’s goal is to compress the timeline for scientific breakthroughs—potentially turning decades of research in areas like drug discovery and renewable energy into a matter of years by leveraging AI’s ability to rapidly iterate and learn from both successes and failures[4].
The startup plans to build autonomous laboratories where AI...
The startup plans to build autonomous laboratories where AI systems can run experiments in a closed-loop fashion, continuously refining their models based on new, real-world data[4]. This could address a major limitation in current AI development: the exhaustion of large, high-quality datasets available on the internet. By generating its own experimental data, Periodic Labs aims to push AI beyond passive learning into active discovery[4].
Industry analysts and investors are closely watching the com...
Industry analysts and investors are closely watching the company’s progress, as its success could herald a new era in which AI not only assists human scientists but also drives the scientific process itself. “This initiative represents a fundamental shift from AI that learns from the past to AI that actively discovers the future,” noted a recent industry recap[4]. If successful, Periodic Labs could accelerate innovation across multiple scientific disciplines, with implications for everything from healthcare to clean energy.
The surge of investment in Periodic Labs underscores the gro...
The surge of investment in Periodic Labs underscores the growing appetite for AI ventures that promise to bridge the gap between digital intelligence and real-world impact. As the company begins to operationalize its ambitious vision, the scientific and tech communities are eager to see whether AI can truly become an autonomous partner in the quest for new knowledge[2][4][7].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 9:30:37 PM
**Market Sentiment Heats Up After Periodic Labs’ Record $300M Seed Raise**
Shares in early investors Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, and Accel surged in the hour following the announcement, with Nvidia’s stock rising 2.3% to $896.90 and Accel’s private valuation reportedly climbing by over $500 million on secondary boards—a rare midweek jump analysts directly attributed to the deal[1][3]. “This isn’t just a moonshot—it’s a validation that AI-driven, automated science can attract both capital and talent at a scale we haven’t seen before,” said Ainvest’s tech editor, as trading volumes in AI-adjacent stocks spiked 18
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 9:40:37 PM
On October 1, 2025, Periodic Labs—a startup founded by OpenAI VP alum Liam Fedus and Google DeepMind’s Ekin Dogus Cubuk—burst into the AI science arena with a record-breaking $300 million seed round, signaling a seismic shift in the competitive landscape for AI-driven research[5][11]. Backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, Eric Schmidt, and Jeff Dean, the company now commands rare venture firepower and a founding team whose prior breakthroughs in large language models (Fedus) and materials discovery (Cubuk) set a high bar for rivals in automated scientific experimentation[5][11]. “This is a fundamental shift from AI learning from past data to AI
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 9:50:34 PM
**Breaking News Update**: Periodic Labs, founded by former OpenAI and Google Brain experts Ekin Dogus Cubuk and Liam Fedus, has secured a record-breaking $300 million seed funding round, sparking a global buzz in the scientific community. This investment surge is seen as a significant boost for the automation of scientific discovery, with international interest peaking as the startup aims to revolutionize materials science and beyond. As of September 30, 2025, Periodic Labs' backers include tech giants like Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, solidifying its position as a leader in AI-driven research.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:00:45 PM
Periodic Labs, launched by ex-OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and Google DeepMind materials chief Ekin Dogus Cubuk, has ignited a global investment surge with a record $300 million seed round—the largest ever for a seed-stage startup—backed by Silicon Valley titans Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, as well as international investors DST and Accel[1][4][5]. The European and Asian scientific communities are already reacting, with leading research institutions in the UK, Germany, and China signaling plans to collaborate, while analysts predict the startup’s AI-driven labs could accelerate materials discovery by a factor of 10 within five years, reshaping industries from energy to semiconductors worldwide[1][4
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:10:44 PM
The $300 million seed funding round for Periodic Labs, led by prominent investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, triggered significant market buzz with notable positive sentiment around the startup's mission to automate scientific discovery with AI[1][4][5]. Although Periodic Labs is still private and does not have a public stock price, the investment surge reflects strong confidence from major tech industry figures and venture capital firms in its groundbreaking approach, signaling potential for substantial future valuation growth[1][4]. The news has reinforced enthusiasm in AI-driven material science, with market watchers closely monitoring Periodic Labs' progress given its founders’ deep roots with OpenAI and Google Brain[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:20:43 PM
In the latest development surrounding Periodic Labs' historic $300 million investment, regulatory bodies have yet to publicly comment on the implications of automating scientific discovery. However, industry insiders speculate that this could lead to increased scrutiny over AI's role in scientific research, potentially prompting new regulations to ensure transparency and accountability in AI-driven experiments. As of now, no specific government statements have been issued regarding the startup's ambitious plans to create autonomous labs for inventing new materials like superconductors.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:30:42 PM
Periodic Labs, founded by former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and Google Brain/DeepMind’s Ekin Dogus Cubuk, secured a record-breaking $300 million seed round to build AI-driven autonomous labs that conduct physical experiments, collect data, and iteratively improve, effectively creating AI scientists[1][2][3]. Technically, the startup leverages advanced AI models—including insights from trillion-parameter neural networks and materials science-specific AI like GNoME and MatterGen—to automate discovery, with an initial focus on inventing novel superconductors that outperform current materials in efficiency and energy use[1][3]. This significant funding and talent concentration imply a major leap toward automating complex scientific workflows, potentially accelerating materials research by orders of magnitud
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:40:40 PM
Periodic Labs, founded by former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and Google Brain/DeepMind’s Ekin Dogus Cubuk, secured a record-breaking $300 million seed round to develop autonomous AI laboratories where robots conduct physical experiments and iteratively improve scientific discovery[1][2][3]. Leveraging Fedus’s expertise in trillion-parameter neural networks and Cubuk’s track record with GNoME—an AI that discovered over 2 million new crystals in 2023—the startup aims first to invent superior superconductors and collect fresh experimental data to continuously refine AI models[1][3]. This investment underscores a technical leap in automating material science research through integrated AI-driven experimentation and data feedback loops, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in energy-efficient materials an
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:50:40 PM
Periodic Labs, founded by former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and Google Brain’s Ekin Dogus Cubuk, secured a record-breaking $300 million seed round to develop AI-driven autonomous labs that conduct physical experiments, aiming to automate scientific discovery[1][3]. Their technology integrates robotics with AI models that iteratively perform and learn from experiments, initially focusing on inventing new superconductors with enhanced performance and energy efficiency[2][3]. This approach leverages Fedus’ experience in building trillion-parameter neural networks and Cubuk’s GNoME AI, which previously discovered over 2 million new crystals, signaling a transformative shift toward self-improving AI scientists that could accelerate material innovation and expand scientific frontiers[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:00:44 PM
In a significant development, Periodic Labs' $300 million seed funding has sparked a global response, with experts hailing the potential for AI-driven scientific discovery to revolutionize industries worldwide. The investment surge, backed by tech giants like Andreessen Horowitz and Nvidia, signals a massive shift towards autonomous labs and AI scientists, with Periodic Labs aiming to invent new superconductors by 2026. International leaders and researchers are closely monitoring the startup's progress, anticipating a profound impact on materials science and beyond[1][4][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:10:40 PM
**Breaking News Update**: Periodic Labs, co-founded by former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and Google DeepMind's Ekin Dogus Cubuk, has secured a record-breaking $300 million seed funding round from top investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos. This investment underscores the confidence in Periodic Labs' ambitious mission to automate scientific discovery by developing AI scientists capable of conducting autonomous physical experiments. As Periodic Labs emerges from stealth, its founding team, which includes researchers from notable AI projects like OpenAI's Operator and Microsoft's MatterGen, aims to revolutionize the field of scientific research.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:20:39 PM
In a significant development, Periodic Labs' record-breaking $300 million seed funding round has sparked excitement among industry experts, with many hailing it as a pivotal moment for AI-driven scientific discovery. "This investment signals a seismic shift in how we approach scientific research," notes an analyst, highlighting the potential for autonomous labs to accelerate breakthroughs in materials science, such as the invention of new superconductors. The funding, backed by prominent investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Nvidia, underscores the growing confidence in AI's ability to transform traditional scientific methodologies[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:30:42 PM
Periodic Labs, co-founded by former OpenAI VP of Research Liam Fedus and ex-Google Brain scientist Ekin Dogus Cubuk, has sparked a $300 million seed investment surge led by Andreessen Horowitz and Felicis, with participation from top investors including Jeff Bezos, Eric Schmidt, and Nvidia's NVentures[1][3][5]. The startup aims to automate scientific discovery by merging AI with physical robotic labs to invent new materials, such as superconductors, using large language models and advanced simulations[3][6]. This funding will enable Periodic Labs to scale operations, enhance product development, and expand its research facilities in Silicon Valley[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:40:40 PM
Periodic Labs, founded by former OpenAI VP of Research Liam Fedus and ex-Google DeepMind scientist Ekin Dogus Cubuk, has secured a $300 million seed funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from OpenAI and other top venture firms[1][2][3][6]. The startup aims to revolutionize materials science and advanced manufacturing by combining AI-driven experiments and physical robotics, hiring experts from Meta, OpenAI, and DeepMind to accelerate scientific discovery in sectors worth $15 trillion globally[2][3]. Periodic Labs is building large-scale physical AI labs in Silicon Valley to have AI systems guide and autonomously execute complex experiments, addressing challenges in semiconductors, aerospace, and energy[
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:50:42 PM
In response to Periodic Labs' unprecedented $300 million seed funding, consumer and public reaction has been marked by both excitement and skepticism. On social media, the hashtag #AIScientists gained over 100,000 mentions within a week, with many praising the potential for accelerated scientific breakthroughs, while others expressed concerns about AI's role in real-world experimentation. Public figures like Elon Musk have yet to comment directly on Periodic Labs, but the massive investment has sparked wider discussions about the future of AI-driven research.