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Former OpenAI research chief raises $230 million for manufacturing AI startup Arda

Bob McGrew's startup Arda has secured $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation to develop AI software and agents aimed at automating U.S. manufacturing.

A factory engineer wearing a hard hat, protective goggles, and ear protection looks down at a digital tablet.
Image: @CNBC

Arda, a startup founded by OpenAI's former chief research officer Bob McGrew, has raised $230 million in funding at a $1.5 billion valuation, CNBC reported. The funding round was led by Altimeter Capital, Accel, and Khosla Ventures.[1][4][5]

The company builds AI software and agents designed to automate factory assembly lines and assist manufacturing engineers, with an overarching goal of bringing manufacturing back to the United States. McGrew, whose prior career included roles at Palantir and PayPal, told CNBC that the tool is a user interface and agent that does for manufacturing engineers what Claude or Cursor does for programmers.[1][4][5]

Arda's manufacturing assistant is already being used by defense technology firm Anduril. The company aims to apply its automation software to manufacturing across various industries, from weapons to smartphones.[1][2][3]

Key facts

  • Arda raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in a funding round led by Altimeter Capital, Accel, and Khosla Ventures.
  • The startup was founded by former OpenAI Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, who also worked at Palantir and PayPal.
  • Arda develops AI software and agents to accelerate assembly line programming and automate manufacturing.
  • McGrew stated that Arda's agent does for manufacturing engineers what Claude or Cursor does for programmers.
  • Arda's agent is already being used in manufacturing work with Anduril.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. AC

    Andrew Curran@AndrewCurran_Post on X ·

    Bob McGrew, OpenAI's former Chief Research Officer, has raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation for his startup, Arda. He said their agent 'does for manufacturing engineers what Claude or Cursor does for programmers' and is already being used by Anduril. https://t.co/LAft8iDuiC

    Open source
  2. QU

    Quartz@qzPost on X ·

    OpenAI's Ex-Research Chief Just Raised $230M to Rewire Factories Bob McGrew left OpenAI and quietly built an AI startup that could reshape how America manufactures everything from weapons to smartphones. Arda just land https://t.co/E42rn6FeZ7 #Arda #AIMmanufacturing #BobMcGrew https://t.co/QD7iHSvBNf

    Open source
  3. MT

    MTS@MTSlivePost on X ·

    SITUATION DETECTED: Bob McGrew's startup Arda has raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, and their manufacturing agent is already being used by Anduril, per CNBC.

    Open source
  4. CN

    CNBC@CNBCPost on X ·

    OpenAI’s former research chief has been quietly building a startup that aims to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. using AI. Bob McGrew’s newest company, Arda, has raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, the company told CNBC in an exclusive interview Tuesday. The round was led by Altimeter Capital, Accel and Khosla Ventures. More: https://t.co/VglHr3v1ft

    Open source
  5. TE

    TechmemeArticle ·

    Arda, which builds AI software and agents to accelerate assembly lines and manufacturing, raised $230M at a $1.5B valuation led by Altimeter, Accel, and Khosla (Kate Rooney/CNBC) Kate Rooney / CNBC : Arda, which builds AI software and agents to accelerate assembly lines and manufacturing, raised $230M at a $1.5B valuation led by Altimeter, Accel, and Khosla — OpenAI's former research chief has been quietly building a startup that aims to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. using AI.

    Open source