OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT language model, has raised a significant amount of funding for its startup fund, which focuses on investing in AI-powered startups. The OpenAI Startup Fund has raised $175 million for its main fund and secured an additional $114 million through five separate special purpose vehicles, bringing the total to $289 million. Notably, the fund does not use OpenAI's company money to invest in startups, instead relying on outside investors, including Microsoft, a significant backer of OpenAI.

The OpenAI Startup Fund, managed by a dedicated team, has invested in over a dozen startups across various industries, including healthcare, education, and robotics. According to data providers PitchBook and Crunchbase, as well as TechCrunch's research, the fund has invested in startups such as 1X, Ambience Healthcare, Anysphere, Chai Discovery, Class Companion, Descript, Figure AI, Ghost Autonomy, Harvey AI, Heeyo, Kick, Mem, Milo, Physical Intelligence, Speak, Thrive AI, and Unify.

Some of the notable investments include a $23.5 million Series A round in Mem, a $70 million Series B round in Ambience Healthcare, and a $50 million Series C round in Descript. The fund has also invested in Figure AI, which recently raised a $675 million Series B round, valuing the company at $2.6 billion. Additionally, OpenAI's fund participated in Harvey AI's $300 million Series D round, which valued the company at $3 billion.

The OpenAI Startup Fund's investment strategy focuses on AI-powered startups that have the potential to drive innovation and growth in various industries. The fund's investments span across different stages, from seed to Series C rounds, demonstrating its commitment to supporting startups throughout their growth journey.

The fund's investment in Ghost Autonomy, which shut down a year later, highlights the risks involved in investing in startups. However, the fund's overall portfolio showcases its ability to identify and support promising AI-powered startups.

The OpenAI Startup Fund's success in raising $289 million from outside investors demonstrates the growing interest in AI-powered startups and the potential for innovation in this space. As the fund continues to invest in and support startups, it will be interesting to see the impact of these investments on the broader tech industry.

In conclusion, the OpenAI Startup Fund's significant funding and investment in over a dozen AI-powered startups underscore the company's commitment to driving innovation and growth in the AI space. As the fund continues to grow and invest in new startups, it will be important to monitor its progress and the impact of its investments on the tech industry.