Key facts
- Ryan Beiermeister has joined Founders Fund as a partner.
- She previously worked at OpenAI as VP of Product Policy.
- Beiermeister reportedly left OpenAI after objecting to a planned 'adult mode' feature for ChatGPT.
- She has a long-standing connection with Founders Fund's Trae Stephens, dating back to their time at Palantir.
- Beiermeister intends to focus on startups in AI infrastructure, agentic systems, defense, energy, climate, and biotech.
Ryan Beiermeister has joined the venture capital firm Founders Fund as a partner, according to an announcement made on Monday. Beiermeister is recognized in Silicon Valley for her previous role as VP of Product Policy at OpenAI, where she worked for approximately two years as the company gained significant public attention following the rapid growth of ChatGPT.
Her tenure at OpenAI reportedly concluded abruptly in February. This departure followed her objection to a proposed ChatGPT feature known as 'adult mode,' which was intended to enable adult users to engage the chatbot for erotic content. The Wall Street Journal reported that her dismissal was linked to an accusation of sexual discrimination by a male colleague, though Beiermeister has denied any discriminatory actions.
In March, OpenAI reportedly decided against proceeding with the 'adult mode' feature. More recently, Beiermeister has garnered attention in Silicon Valley for her strategic prowess in a Founders Fund YouTube series titled 'Mafia.' The game involves players attempting to identify secret Mafia killers before they can eliminate other participants.
Beiermeister participated in the game alongside notable figures such as Sam Altman of OpenAI, Palmer Luckey of Anduril, Dylan Field of Figma, Ryan Petersen of Flexport, and Trae Stephens of Founders Fund. A particularly intense moment in the first episode featured Beiermeister and Altman each suggesting the other would be responsible if they were found dead, a reference to their past professional interactions.
While some social media users speculated that her participation in the 'Mafia' game might have been part of her interview process, a spokesperson for Founders Fund clarified that her strong 'Mafia' playing skills were not a factor. The spokesperson noted that Beiermeister has been close with Trae Stephens for over a decade, having previously worked together at Palantir, and has maintained friendly relations with the Founders Fund team for years.
Beiermeister's strategic approach in the game, characterized by cool analysis and reasoned arguments about potential 'Mafia' members, likely did not harm her candidacy. Her professional history includes a significant period at Palantir, the big data company founded by Peter Thiel, before her roles at OpenAI and Meta.
Beiermeister stated her intention to support startups in areas where Founders Fund typically invests. She specifically mentioned categories such as AI infrastructure and agentic systems, defense, energy, climate, and biotech, particularly seeking founders who may not fit conventional molds. Her inbox is open to such entrepreneurs.