Ex-OpenAI Manager Launches Worktrace AI with Major Backing
BREAKING: Angela Jiang, a former product manager at OpenAI, has officially launched her startup, Worktrace AI, with significant backing from notable figures including ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. This development marks a new chapter in the rapid expansion of the “OpenAI mafia,” a network of former employees now venturing into the AI startup landscape.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Worktrace AI is currently in talks to secure $10 million in funding at a valuation of $50 million. This investment round is part of a growing trend in Silicon Valley where ex-OpenAI employees are establishing high-value startups focused on AI solutions for large businesses.
While Jiang has not publicly commented on the launch, her co-founder, Deepak Vasisht, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, also remained silent when approached for details. The startup’s website indicates it aims to assist businesses in finding and automating repetitive tasks by observing employee workflows.
The urgency of this announcement is underscored by the recent surge in interest surrounding AI’s potential to replicate human tasks. For instance, last month, OpenAI unveiled new methods to assess its models’ performance in practical applications, such as drafting legal documents.
Worktrace AI has attracted investments from a roster of former OpenAI leaders, including Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT, and Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer. Their involvement highlights the strong belief in Worktrace AI’s potential to innovate within the AI sector. The startup is also backed by OpenAI’s startup fund and several venture capital firms, including 8VC and Conviction.
Angela Jiang played a pivotal role at OpenAI as the third product manager, contributing to the launch of the popular ChatGPT models that gained massive attention in late 2022. After transitioning from product management to the public policy team, she left OpenAI in December 2024 to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions.
This launch aligns with a broader trend of high-value AI startups emerging from the OpenAI ecosystem. Just this year, Murati’s own venture, Thinking Machines Lab, closed a staggering $2 billion seed funding round, elevating its valuation to $12 billion. Additionally, Safe Superintelligence, founded by former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, is now valued at an astonishing $32 billion.
Moreover, last month, Periodic Labs, co-founded by William Fedus, another key figure behind ChatGPT, raised $300 million to develop “AI scientists,” showcasing the ongoing investment frenzy in AI innovation.
As Worktrace AI gears up for its funding round, the tech community watches closely. The implications of its technology could revolutionize how businesses operate, making this a critical moment for Jiang and her team.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. If you have insights or tips, reach out to the reporter at [email protected] or via Signal and WhatsApp at 628-282-2811.
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