AI Startups Raise $1.1B as Big Tech Employees Leave

Former Google DeepMind researcher David Silver announced a record $1.1 billion seed round for his startup Ineffable Intelligence, showcasing significant investor interest in AI ventures. Similarly, Ti Rocktäschel aims to raise up to $1 billion for Recursive Superintelligence, while AMI Labs previously raised $1 billion in March 2023. In 2026, venture capitalists are projected to invest $18.8 billion into AI startups launched since the beginning of 2025, surpassing the $27.9 billion raised last year by firms established since 2024. These funding rounds and departures indicate a shift towards new AI innovations outside major companies like Meta (META) and Google (GOOGL).