Thinking Machines Lab has hired more researchers from Meta than any other single employer, according to a LinkedIn analysis. The AI lab now has approximately 140 employees on staff.
A review of LinkedIn profiles reveals Meta as the primary talent source for Thinking Machines Lab, with researchers like Weiyao Wang—who spent eight years at Meta building multimodal perception systems—joining the lab.
The hiring pattern underscores competitive talent acquisition in the AI sector, where established tech companies serve as breeding grounds for specialized researchers. Thinking Machines Lab, focused on AI research and development, has grown its headcount to roughly 140 as it expands operations.
Meta remains a significant source of AI talent across the industry, with researchers and engineers departing to join startups and specialized labs. The concentration of Meta hires at Thinking Machines Lab suggests the lab's focus aligns with expertise Meta has cultivated in areas like perception systems and machine learning.
The lab's growth reflects broader investment in AI research infrastructure outside traditional tech giants, as specialized teams pursue independent research directions.
Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher focused on AI-accelerated scientific discovery, is departing the company to start a new AI drug discovery venture. The startup is in talks to raise $200 million at a $2 billion valuation.
Hadrius, an NYC-based fintech startup, secured $22 million in Series A funding led by CRV with backing from Y Combinator. The company provides AI-native compliance software for financial services firms.
InstaLILY, an enterprise automation startup, has raised $60 million in Series B funding led by Energize Capital, bringing its total funding to nearly $100 million.
Adapter, an infrastructure platform enabling AI agents and applications to leverage and control data, has emerged from stealth with $17.8 million in funding led by GV.