OpenAI invests in Sam Altman’s brain computer interface startup Merge Labs

✨TodayOnAI’s Daily Drop

• OpenAI invests in Sam Altman’s brain computer interface startup Merge Labs

• Parloa Triples Valuation to $3B with $350M AI Funding Round

• Higgsfield Hits $1.3B Valuation as AI Video Tool Doubles Revenue in 2 Months

• 💬 Let’s Fix This Prompt

• 🧰 Today’s AI Toolbox Pick

OpenAI

OpenAI invests in Sam Altman’s brain computer interface startup Merge Labs

🚀 TodayOnAI Insight: OpenAI has invested heavily in Merge Labs, a stealth BCI startup co-founded by CEO Sam Altman, deepening ties between Altman’s AI and neurotech ventures. Merge aims to build noninvasive brain interfaces powered by AI, blurring lines between human cognition and machine intelligence.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• $250M Seed Round: Merge Labs emerged from stealth with $250M in funding at an $850M valuation; OpenAI contributed the largest single investment.

• Novel BCI Approach: Unlike Neuralink, Merge is developing noninvasive tech using molecules and ultrasound to interface with neurons—avoiding surgical implants.

• Strategic Integration: OpenAI will collaborate with Merge on foundational models and adaptive AI systems to interpret neural signals and intent.

• Altman’s Expanding Web: Merge joins a growing list of Altman-linked ventures backed by OpenAI’s Startup Fund, including Red Queen Bio and Helion Energy.

• Stacked Founding Team: Merge’s co-founders include leaders from Tools for Humanity, Forest Neurotech, and Caltech—many continuing roles at their original organizations.

💡 Why This Stands Out: This investment underscores a growing convergence between frontier AI and neurotechnology, with Altman positioning BCIs as a bridge to human-AI symbiosis. By backing Merge, OpenAI isn’t just funding research—it’s shaping the interface layer between mind and machine. As Altman’s “merge” vision edges closer to reality, will this alignment of incentives reshape the ethics and ownership of our cognitive future?

Parloa

Parloa Triples Valuation to $3B with $350M AI Funding Round

🚀 TodayOnAI Insight: German startup Parloa has raised $350 million in a Series D round led by General Catalyst, tripling its valuation to $3 billion in under a year. The AI-driven platform automates enterprise customer service with minimal code—and now boasts clients like Microsoft and Booking.com.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Parloa’s latest round brings total funding to over $560M, up from a $1B valuation after its $120M Series C in July 2025.

• The platform streamlines enterprise customer service tasks—like returns and package tracking—using AI with low-code interfaces.

• Major customers include Microsoft, Accenture, KPMG, and Booking.com.

• Annual recurring revenue has now surpassed $50 million.

• Backers in this round include EQT Ventures, Altimeter Capital, and Durable Capital Partners.

💡 Why This Stands Out: Parloa’s sharp valuation jump signals strong investor confidence in AI’s enterprise ROI, especially in customer support—a once skeptical sector now proving real operational value. As AI platforms mature, are we seeing the end of long hold times and scripted agent calls for good?

Higgsfield

Higgsfield Hits $1.3B Valuation as AI Video Tool Doubles Revenue in 2 Months

🚀 TodayOnAI Insight: AI video startup Higgsfield has extended its Series A to $130 million with a new $80M raise, catapulting its valuation to $1.3 billion. Just nine months post-launch, the company is scaling rapidly—and claims it’s outpacing some of the biggest names in tech.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Higgsfield raised an additional $80M, extending its Series A to $130M and hitting a $1.3B valuation.

• Founded by Alex Mashrabov, former head of Generative AI at Snap and co-founder of AI Factory.

• Its AI video creation tool now has 15M+ users and is on a $200M annual revenue run rate—doubling in just two months.

• The platform is now positioning itself as a professional tool for social media marketers, not just casual creators.

• Higgsfield claims its growth trajectory is outpacing companies like OpenAI, Slack, and Zoom.

💡 Why This Stands Out: Higgsfield’s meteoric rise signals just how quickly AI-native creative tools are crossing from novelty into utility—especially in marketing and content ops. Its pivot toward professional users reflects a broader trend: AI platforms are racing to prove business value amid a crowded, hype-fueled market. Will creative control and quality keep up with scale?

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• Ring founder details the camera company’s ‘intelligent assistant’ era

• Deepgram raises $130M at $1.3B valuation and buys a YC AI startup

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• 💬Seeker (Data Analysis Tool): A retrieval-augmented generation chat platform that securely extracts and analyzes information from large data sets.

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