OpenAI has announced plans to acquire product testing startup Statsig for $1.1 billion in an all-stock transaction, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the ChatGPT maker’s history. Statsig, founded in 2021, provides tools that help software developers test and evaluate potential new features. Its platform has been used by employees at OpenAI, Eventbrite, SoundCloud, and other technology companies. Earlier this year, Statsig raised $100 million in a funding round that valued the company at $1.1 billion.
As part of the acquisition, Statsig’s founder and CEO, Vijaye Raji, will join OpenAI as chief technology officer of applications, reporting to Fidji Simo, the former Instacart executive who recently became CEO of OpenAI’s applications division. Simo stated that Raji will help companies and developers build “safe applications that empower people” using OpenAI’s technology.
OpenAI has been actively pursuing large acquisitions this year, buoyed by its soaring valuation. In March, the company completed a $40 billion funding round at a $300 billion valuation. Bloomberg News has reported that OpenAI is also in discussions to allow current and former employees to sell shares at a $500 billion valuation.
Earlier this year, OpenAI closed a $6.5 billion all-stock deal to acquire an AI device startup co-founded by Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive. The company also attempted to acquire AI coding startup Windsurf for roughly $3 billion, although that deal ultimately fell through.
In addition to Raji’s appointment, OpenAI is reshuffling its leadership team. Kevin Weil, the company’s chief product officer, will lead a new group called AI for Science as vice president. Srinivas Narayanan, vice president of engineering, will assume the role of chief technology officer for B2B applications. Several product leaders, including Nick Turley, Ashley Alexander, and Ian Silber, will report to Simo.
The acquisition of Statsig remains subject to regulatory review. Analysts see the deal as a continuation of OpenAI’s aggressive strategy to integrate cutting-edge technology and expand its applications, further cementing its position as a leader in the AI space.
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