Ex-OpenAI Co-Founder Launches Safe Superintelligence Startup, Securing $1 Billion in Just Three Months

Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and Chief Scientist of OpenAI, has embarked on an extraordinary new chapter. After navigating controversies surrounding an alleged coup attempt against friend Sam Altman, he has successfully secured a $1 billion funding round for his new venture, Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI). This investment comes from prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and SV Angel NFDG.

As reported by Reuters, SSI has achieved a valuation of $5 billion following its recent funding, which Sutskever co-founded in June 2024 alongside former OpenAI researcher Daniel Levy and Daniel Gross, Apple’s former AI lead and Cue co-founder. On X, Sutskever expressed his excitement, stating, “Mountain: identified. Time to climb.”

Focusing on ‘Safe’ AI Superintelligence

SSI differentiates itself from OpenAI and other startups by prioritizing the development of a "safe" artificial superintelligence—AI that significantly surpasses human intelligence. SSI’s website emphasizes:

“SSI is our mission, our name, and our entire product roadmap, reflecting our sole focus. Our team, investors, and business model are aligned to achieve SSI. We approach safety and capabilities together—technical challenges to be addressed through revolutionary engineering and scientific advancements. Our goal is to advance capabilities rapidly while ensuring safety is always prioritized, allowing us to scale confidently. This singular focus eliminates distractions from management overhead or product cycles, enabling a business model where safety, security, and progress remain insulated from short-term commercial pressures.”

Commitment to AI Research

With a valuation of $5 billion and a small team of just 10 employees split between Palo Alto and Tel Aviv, SSI plans to leverage its funding to enhance computing power and attract top talent. Despite shifting industry trends that often overlook long-term AI research, SSI is thriving with robust financial backing.

According to Reuters, SSI will emphasize research and development in the coming years, aiming to build a reliable, skilled team. Rather than focusing on credentials, the company seeks individuals with strong character and a commitment to its mission. In light of its recent funding, SSI has announced plans to recruit new software engineers, inviting interested candidates to apply online.

For enterprise decision-makers, SSI's success underscores ongoing confidence in AI innovation led by top-tier talent. It also signals an escalating competition for software engineering experts, fueled by significant investments from industry leaders.