Merge Labs

Merge Labs is a research lab with the long-term mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence. It is organized as a public benefit corporation and came out of stealth on January 15, 2026.^{Source [1]Source [2]}

It is working on brain-computer interfaces with higher bandwidth and less invasiveness than implanted electrodes, using molecules instead of electrodes and deep-reaching modalities such as ultrasound. It has said the work may take decades rather than years.^{Source [1]Source [3]}

Its seed round was reported at $250 million at an $850 million valuation, with OpenAI writing the largest check alongside Bain Capital, Interface Fund, Fifty Years and Gabe Newell. OpenAI said it would collaborate with the lab on scientific foundation models and other tools.^{Source [2]Source [3]}

Publicly launched in January 2026 with a seed round reported at about $250 million that included OpenAI, Bain Capital and Gabe Newell. Its co-founders include Sam Altman, Alex Blania and Sandro Herbig of Tools for Humanity, and researchers Tyson Aflalo, Sumner Norman and Mikhail Shapiro. It describes itself as a research lab working on brain interfaces that use molecules and ultrasound rather than implanted electrodes.^{Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]}