Merge Labs

Chinese brain-computer interface startup Gestala raised $21.6M co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture at a $100M to $200M valuation, per CEO Phoenix Peng

Elon Musk's Neuralink and OpenAI-backed Merge Labs are pushing forward with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in the U.S. Meanwhile …

Brain-computer interface startup Merge Labs, which Sam Altman co-founded, raised a $252M seed from OpenAI, Bain Capital, Gabe Newell, and others

Brain-computer interface startup Merge Labs, which Sam Altman co-founded, raised a $252M seed from OpenAI, Bain Capital, Gabe Newell, and others

Merge Labs, a company co-founded by AI billionaire Sam Altman that is building devices to connect human brains to computers, raised $252 million.

Source: Sam Altman's Merge Labs, which seeks to read brain activity using ultrasound, is being spun out of LA-based nonprofit Forest Neurotech

Emily Mullin / Wired : Forums: r/HotScienceNews Forums: r/HotScienceNews : Sam Altman's New Brain Venture, Merge Labs, Will Spin Out of a Nonprofit

Sources: Sam Altman's brain-computer interface startup Merge Labs hires Mikhail Shapiro, who works on noninvasive techniques for neural imaging and control

The hire suggests that Merge is taking a much less invasive approach than Elon Musk's Neuralink.  Also: Sources IRL and reactions to yesterday's Snap scoop.

Sources: OpenAI is preparing to back Neuralink rival Merge Labs, co-founded by Sam Altman, that aims to raise $250M at an $850M valuation, including from OpenAI

OpenAI in talks to invest in brain implant start-up that would compete with Musk's company  —  OpenAI and its co-founder Sam Altman …