OpenAI LLC CEO Sam Altman is sworn in to testify at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on artificial intelligence on Capitol Hill, May 16, 2023.
Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
OpenAI LLC has had quite the chaotic week, with the firing and rehiring of co-founder and CEO Sam Altman.
The leadership issues raised major concerns from some of its Silicon Valley venture capitalists about what was happening at the San Francisco-based startup.
The AI mega-power had raised at least $11.3 billion in funding — the majority of which comes from Microsoft Corp., with additional dollars from 13 Bay Area investors. Here's a look at the local venture firms and individuals who have backed OpenAI.
Sequoia Capital
- Based where: Menlo Park
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: The firm made a growth-stage investment in the company in 2021. In that year 16% of the firm's investments were in the artificial intelligence space. The firm has also been reported to have bought shares from the company valuing OpenAI at $80 billion-plus.
Khosla Ventures
- Based where: Menlo Park
- How much: $50 million
- Significance: Khosla was one of the first venture firm to take a bet on OpenAI. The firm's initial investment in OpenAI valued it at $1 billion.
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
- Based where: Menlo Park
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: The firm made a growth stage investment int he company. It has also been reported a16z has bought share from the company valuing it at over $80 billion.
Y Combinator
- Based where: Mountain View
- How much: $120,000
- Significance: OpenAI was part of the research wing of the startup incubator.
Open Philanthropy Project
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: $30 million
- Significance: This was part of grant funding provided to the firm for AI development and research.
Kraken Ventures
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of OpenAI's $10 million Series A round in 2019.
Change.org
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of the company's $10 million Series A round in 2019
Wisdom Ventures
- Based where: Los Gatos
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
SV Angel
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
MarketX
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
Coinbase
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
Day One Ventures
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
Founders Fund
- Based where: San Francisco
- How much: Undisclosed
- Significance: This was part of a $300 million late stage round in 2023
