Top ex-Google AI researchers raise $8 million in funding from Thrive Capital

Two prominent former Google researchers who authored the groundbreaking paper that paved the way for the generative AI boom, have raised $8 million for their new startup Essential AI, four sources told Reuters.

Thrive Capital had led the round in Essential AI, founded by Ashish Vaswani and Niki Parmar. The company is still in stealth mode and hasn’t launched any product. Conviction and angel investor Elad Gil also participated in the round, one source close to the company added.