# Merge Labs: robotics company

Canonical ID: `437cc12d-fc58-4893-a44e-4b15607e9dcf`

## Key facts

- **Funding:** [~$250M seed at ~$850M val](/investors.md) ([see investors](/investors.md))
- **Backers:** [OpenAI, Bain Capital, Gabe Newell](/investors.md) ([see investors](/investors.md))
- **Founder:** [Sam Altman](/people/sam-altman-merge.md)
- **Approach:** Molecular + ultrasound (no electrodes)

- **Slug:** merge-labs
- **Founded:** 2025
- **HQ:** San Francisco, California, USA
- **Funding total (USD):** 250000000
- **Category:** [Biometric wearables](/biometric-wearables)

## Models

- [Merge BCI Platform](/models/merge-bci-platform.md) (biometric) (id: `865c07a1-7956-4e3d-8879-12e6d2155324`)

## Current leadership (1)

- [Sam Altman](/people/sam-altman-merge.md) Co-founder (secondary-verified)

## Supplies to

_No verified supply relationships on file. Supply-chain coverage is being added across the registry; check back as the seed populates this company's outbound edges._

_Outbound supply edges. Each appears when verified with at least two strong sources. Sources are append-only; corrections add new sources rather than rewrite history._

## Common questions

### What is Merge Labs?

Merge Labs is a San Francisco-based brain-computer interface research lab developing non-invasive, ultrasound-based neural interfaces. Co-founded by [OpenAI](https://openai.com) CEO Sam Altman and several neurotechnology researchers, the company emerged from stealth in January 2026 with a 50M seed round at an 50M valuation.

### What does Merge Labs make?

Merge Labs has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: Merge BCI Platform (Merge Labs builds both physical robots and the AI that runs them).

### Where is Merge Labs headquartered?

Merge Labs is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA.

### How much funding has Merge Labs raised?

Merge Labs has raised approximately $250M in disclosed funding on record in the DEPLOY registry.

### Where does Merge Labs operate robots?

Merge Labs is a robot manufacturer and does not directly operate deployments on the DEPLOY registry. Its products are deployed by customer operators; see the company page for the verified deployment record.

### Is Merge Labs a top robotics company?

On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, funding, hiring, media, safety, and IP signals, Merge Labs ranks in roughly the top 18% of companies tracked by the registry.

### When was Merge Labs founded?

Merge Labs was founded in 2025.


## Sources (1)

1. https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/15/openai-invests-in-sam-altmans-brain-computer-interface-startup-merge-labs/

## The verified answers

- [Which companies have the most robots deployed](/which-companies-have-the-most-robots-deployed.md)
- [Which operators run the most robots](/which-operators-run-the-most-robots.md)
- [Which robot operators cover the most countries](/which-robot-operators-cover-the-most-countries.md)

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