HomeEverythingEducation
Equities & FundsCrypto & Digital AssetsAI & TechnologyBusiness & CorporateUS Politics & PolicyGeopolitics & Global RiskMacro, Rates & FXCommodities & EnergyEuropean Politics & MarketsAsia-PacificReal Estate & Property
Story archiveAll categories
← All Stories

Sam Altman backs stealth robotics startup Alfred

Created at 1 Jun · 5:02 PM3 sources↑ Market-relevant3 events
IN SHORT

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Khosla Ventures are backing Alfred, a stealth startup founded by former Tesla and Meta employees. The company is developing software for robots and cars and is aiming to raise funds at a $40 million valuation.

✉Newsletter

PiQ Daily

Pick your topics. Get only what matters, on your cadence.

Key Numbers

$40 millionAlfred startup valuation
$5.3 billionVC funding for physical AI startups in April

Who's Involved

Sam Altman
CEO of OpenAI, backing stealth startup Alfred
Alfred
Stealth startup developing software for robots and cars
Khosla Ventures
Investor in stealth startup Alfred
Ankit Ukil
Co-founder of Alfred, former Tesla designer
Dömötör Gulyas
Co-founder of Alfred, former Meta Reality Labs engineer
Sam Altman backs stealth robotics startup Alfred

↳ Why This Matters

Sam Altman's backing of Alfred, a stealth startup focused on physical AI, highlights the growing investor interest in robotics and AI-powered machines. This move by OpenAI's CEO, alongside Khosla Ventures and other investors, signals a significant push into the sector, potentially creating new competition for established players like Tesla, which is also investing heavily in humanoid robots.

Key facts

  • Sam Altman and Khosla Ventures are backing a stealth startup named Alfred.
  • Alfred was founded by a former Tesla designer and an ex-Meta Reality Labs engineer.
  • The startup is developing software for robots and cars.
  • Alfred is aiming to raise funds at a $40 million valuation.

Sam Altman's backing of Alfred, a stealth startup focused on physical AI, highlights the growing investor interest in robotics and AI-powered machines. This move by OpenAI's CEO, alongside Khosla Ventures and other investors, signals a significant push into the sector, potentially creating new competition for established players like Tesla, which is also investing heavily in humanoid robots.

Frequently asked questions

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Khosla Ventures are backing Alfred, along with other investors like SV Angel and Chapter One.

Alfred is developing software for robots and cars, focusing on the physical AI sector.

Alfred was founded by Ankit Ukil, a former Tesla designer, and Dömötör Gulyas, a former engineer at Meta Reality Labs.

The startup is aiming to raise funds at a $40 million valuation.

What Happens Next

01Alfred aims to raise funds at a $40 million valuation.

Get the newsletter.

Pick the topics you actually care about. We'll email when there's news worth your time, on the cadence you choose. Cancel any time from your account.

Cadence

How It Developed

1 Jun · 8:32 PM
OpenAI's entry into robotics with general-purpose robots presents a new challenge to Tesla's Optimus program.
Yahoo News | Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 7:31 PM
Sam Altman is backing Alfred, a stealth startup by ex-Tesla and Meta engineers, focused on robot and car software.
Business Insider via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 4:43 PM
Tesla stock fell 3.57% Monday following OpenAI's announcement of its new humanoid robot division, OpenAI Robotics.
CoinCentral via PiQSuite

Sources

T1
Tesla (TSLA) Stock Falls as OpenAI Launches Humanoid Robotics Divisionm.piqsuite.com
T1
Tesla's Optimus faces new threat as OpenAI enters roboticsm.piqsuite.com
T1
Sam Altman is quietly backing a stealth startup that's building software for robots and carsm.piqsuite.com

Related Stories

OpenAI, Meta, xAI Unveil New AI Models Amid National Security Review
8 Jul · 1:10 PM
BofA extends $520 million credit line to OpenAI ahead of IPO
8 Jul · 4:59 PM
Elon Musk's Grok 4.5 Launched, Priced Aggressively Against Competitors
8 Jul · 10:30 PM
OpenAI launches GPT-Live voice models for simultaneous listening and speaking
8 Jul · 5:56 PM
OpenAI Staggers GPT 5.6 Release at US Government's Request
9 Jul · 5:20 AM