OpenAI buys a remote collaboration platform | TechCrunch – Techcrunch
OpenAI is on an M&A mosey.
Days after acquiring database tech firm Rockset, OpenAI has purchased Multi (previously Remotion), a startup growing a mission-focused, video-first collaboration platform. A source conversant in the topic says that the deal is technically an acquihire and that nearly all of Multi’s crew — spherical five people — will join OpenAI following the deal’s stop.
Alexander Embiricos, Multi’s CEO and surely one of its co-founders, says that Multi will shut down after July 24, 2024.
“We’re beyond angry to fragment that Multi is becoming a member of OpenAI,” he wrote in a post on Multi’s weblog. “Thanks to all people who feeble Multi. It was once a privilege constructing with you, and we realized a ton from you.”
With Multi, Embiricos (an ex-Dropbox product manager) and Multi’s 2nd co-founder, Charley Ho (an ex-Google utility engineer), intention out to procedure a Zoom-based platform designed for remote groups to work collectively via video chats. Multi equipped aspects just like the skill to collaborate across camouflage camouflage shares from up to 10 people on the a similar time, customizable shortcuts and automatic deep links for code, designs and paperwork.
Mad to fragment that Multi has been bought by OpenAI!
To everyone who feeble Multi, submitted suggestions and equipped feature suggestions, Thank You. https://t.co/KU0AroW1tQ
— Charley Ho (@potatoarecool) June 24, 2024
Per Crunchbase knowledge, Multi raised $13 million in cash from VCs including Greylock and First Round Capital earlier than on the present time’s exit.
As with the Rockset purchase, the Multi deal looks to suit into OpenAI’s broader contemporary strategy of investing heavily in mission alternate strategies. OpenAI these days printed that the corporate tier of its viral AI-powered chatbot platform, ChatGPT, had stop to 600,000 customers, including 93% of all Fortune 500 companies.
In Can even fair, OpenAI signed an settlement with PwC to resell OpenAI’s tools to diverse companies. The month earlier than, the corporate launched a industrial-oriented custom-made AI mannequin tuning and consulting program.
The mission entreaties seem like paying dividends, with OpenAI’s revenue intention to eclipse $3.4 billion this 12 months, per The Files.
Along the a similar vein as OpenAI’s diverse corporate-aimed product efforts, would possibly well doubtless doubtless we at some point soon scrutinize a spruced-up ChatGPT with videoconferencing and remote collaboration capabilities? Maybe. I wouldn’t place it past OpenAI — particularly as the rush time between the org’s flagship units lengthens.
