TL;DR
Merge Labs, a brain‑tech startup cofounded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, surfaced from stealth after securing $252 million in funding led by OpenAI and other investors. The company says it will pursue ultrasound-based methods to read from and write to the brain, and OpenAI will collaborate on efforts to connect brains and computers.
What happened
Merge Labs announced its emergence from stealth with a $252 million funding round that includes an investment from OpenAI. The venture was cofounded by Sam Altman, who also serves as OpenAI’s CEO, and the company says it plans to develop ultrasound-based approaches intended to both read neural activity and deliver signals to the brain. OpenAI has stated it will work with Merge Labs on developing technology to link people’s brains to computers. Reporting on the launch notes that Merge Labs is being spun out of Forest Neurotech, a Los Angeles nonprofit, and that details beyond the funding and broad technical goals remain limited in the public disclosure. The initial reporting on the announcement was published by WIRED’s Emily Mullin on January 15, 2026.
Why it matters
- This investment highlights a growing intersection between large AI developers and neurotechnology startups, potentially accelerating R&D that combines machine learning and brain‑computer interfaces.
- If ultrasound methods prove effective for reading and writing neural signals, they could offer a less invasive alternative to electrode‑based systems, altering the technical and commercial landscape of BCIs.
- Close collaboration between a major AI lab and a brain‑tech firm raises questions about data privacy, consent, and governance for neural information at the intersection of commercial and cognitive domains.
- The scale of the initial funding round signals strong investor interest and could fast‑track clinical, regulatory, and product development timelines, with implications for healthcare and consumer markets.
Key facts
- Funding: Merge Labs emerged from stealth with $252 million in funding.
- Investor: OpenAI is listed among the investors and will collaborate with Merge Labs.
- Founder: The company was cofounded by Sam Altman, who is also OpenAI’s CEO.
- Technical aim: Merge Labs says it will use ultrasound to read from and write to the brain.
- Origin: The venture is being spun out of Forest Neurotech, a Los Angeles nonprofit.
- Public reporting: The announcement was reported by WIRED (Emily Mullin) on January 15, 2026.
- Other investors: The round includes additional, unspecified investors beyond OpenAI.
What to watch next
- Timeline and scope of any human testing or clinical trials: not confirmed in the source.
- Specific technical milestones, performance metrics, and safety data for the ultrasound approach: not confirmed in the source.
- Details of OpenAI’s role, governance arrangements, and any data‑sharing terms with Merge Labs: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Brain‑computer interface (BCI): A technology that enables direct communication between the brain and external devices, often used to read neural signals or deliver stimuli.
- Ultrasound: Sound waves at frequencies above human hearing that can be used for imaging or to interact with biological tissues noninvasively.
- Stealth mode: When a startup operates privately and limits public disclosure about its technology, team, or funding until a formal launch.
- Spin‑out: A new company formed to commercialize research or technology originally developed inside another organization, such as a nonprofit or university lab.
- Venture funding: Capital provided by investors to support the growth of early‑stage companies, typically in exchange for equity.
Reader FAQ
Who founded Merge Labs?
The company was cofounded by Sam Altman, who is also the CEO of OpenAI.
How much funding did Merge Labs announce?
Merge Labs announced $252 million in funding from OpenAI and other investors.
What technology does Merge Labs plan to use?
The company says it will pursue ultrasound‑based methods to read neural activity and deliver signals to the brain.
Will OpenAI work with Merge Labs?
OpenAI has invested in Merge Labs and stated it will collaborate on efforts to connect brains and computers.
EMILY MULLIN SCIENCE JAN 15, 2026 1:24 PM OpenAI Invests in Sam Altman’s New Brain-Tech Startup Merge Labs Merge Labs has emerged from stealth with $252 million in funding from…
Sources
- OpenAI Invests in Sam Altman’s New Brain-Tech Startup Merge Labs
- OpenAI invests in Brain-Computer Interface startup Merge …
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