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Ex-OpenAI Researcher Shyamal Anadkat Seeks $15M for Startup Empirical Machines
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Moneycontrol•13-10-2026, 10:01
Ex-OpenAI Researcher Shyamal Anadkat Seeks $15M for Startup Empirical Machines
- •Shyamal Hitesh Anadkat, a former OpenAI researcher, is in talks to raise $15 million for his new AI startup, Empirical Machines, from Peak XV Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners.
- •The maiden institutional funding round values the startup at approximately $80 million, though discussions remain ongoing.
- •Empirical Machines focuses on accelerating scientific discovery with applications around chemical compounds and is built by alumni from top AI labs.
- •Anadkat returned to India earlier this year after working in Applied AI and leading startup solutions at OpenAI.
- •The fundraise highlights a broader surge in investor interest and capital deployment into Indian artificial intelligence startups.
Key Questions Answered
Empirical Machines is in talks to raise around $15 million from Peak XV Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners for its maiden institutional fundraise.
Empirical Machines is focused on accelerating scientific discovery, with its work including applications around chemical compounds.
The startup was founded by Shyamal Hitesh Anadkat, an Indian-origin researcher who spent nearly four years at OpenAI working in Applied AI before returning to India.
