The founder of Thinking Machines Lab, Mira Murati, rejected a $1 billion proposal from Meta. She and her team chose their startup’s mission over big money, showing a strong belief in their AI future.
Mira Murati Stands by Her Vision
Mira Murati, a leading voice in the AI world, made headlines by saying no to Meta’s billion-dollar offer. She did not trade her startup dream for money. Her choice shows a deep trust in her work and her team. While many would follow the gold, Mira followed her goal.
Meta sought to attract top AI experts from her team, Thinking Machines Lab. These experts had previously helped shape major AI tools. But Mira stood strong. Her team also believed in her. None of them left for Meta, even when offered up to $1 billion.
The Start of the Thinking Machines Lab
In February 2024, Mira Murati started Thinking Machines Lab. She brought together 30 skilled AI professionals. These experts had worked in top AI firms like OpenAI, Mistral, and Meta. She formed a group filled with skill, motivation, and intention.
Meta recognized the power of this team and aimed to recruit them. They made substantial offers to over ten individuals. However, Mira’s team remained stationary. They remained steadfast to the vision they had with her.
Mira was born in Albania. She studied there before moving to Canada for higher studies. In 2011, she began her career as an intern at Goldman Sachs. Subsequently, she spent three years employed at Tesla. She helped design the Model X car there. Later, she joined Leap Motion, a virtual reality company.
Her Journey Through the Tech World
Mira Murati’s love for technology grew stronger with time. She joined OpenAI in 2018. She played a key role in building famous AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Codex. Her work helped take AI tools to millions of users. At OpenAI, she was known as the “AI Brain” because of her deep knowledge and leadership.
In 2025, Mira left OpenAI and started her own company. Thinking Machines Lab has not released a product yet, but it still drew great support. Big investors like Andreessen Horowitz gave $2 billion in funding. The company reached a value of $12 billion. This illustrates the extent of confidence that individuals place in Mira Murati’s vision
Why the Team Rejected Meta’s Offers
According to reports, Meta made offers between $200 million and $1 billion to members of Mira’s team. But no one accepted. They decided to remain at the Thinking Machines Lab. They believed the company’s future value would be greater than what Meta offered.
The team also liked the freedom and open work style under Mira’s leadership. They were unwilling to part with that. They felt proud to be part of something that focused on purpose, not just profit.
Such loyalty is uncommon in the rapidly changing tech industry today. It shows that people still value dreams, teamwork, and belief in a greater goal. Mira Murati created a space where her team felt trusted and inspired.
Her Growing Influence in AI
Mira’s actions have earned her global respect. In 2023, Fortune listed her among the ‘100 Most Powerful Women in Business.’ In 2024, Time included her in the ‘100 Most Influential People in AI.’ She has become more than an AI expert—she is a symbol of courage and leadership.
She has shown that artificial intelligence is not just about machines and code. It is also about values, responsibility, and how it touches human lives. Mira aims to make AI tools that help people and improve the world. Her company wants to build systems that are useful, fair, and ready for change.
The Thinking Machines Lab keeps expanding under her firm guidance. Mira Murati’s journey illustrates that real strength comes from adhering to one’s purpose. She walked away from Meta’s riches not because she did not want success, but because she believed in something deeper.
Conclusion
Mira Murati chose the hard path. She refused easy money and stayed with her dream. Her team followed her lead. Together, they chose belief over billions. In a world that often chases fast rewards, Mira’s story gives hope. It shows that vision, trust, and purpose still matter.
