Investing like Sam Altman: insights on OpenAI, thoughts on venture investing, and more

In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Sam Altman shared his insights into the exciting prospects he sees in markets for new fuels, hypersonic flights, and biotech and why he believes now is the best time in many years to develop a startup.

In this blog post, we'll explore Altman's investment philosophy and provide some tips on how to invest like the CEO of OpenAI.

Insights about Open AI

OpenAI has brought together some of the most talented engineers and scientists in the field of artificial intelligence. According to Altman, they are passionate about creating cutting-edge AI systems that can make a real difference in the world, especially in the creative field.

While AI was once primarily viewed as a tool to replace manual labor in factories, it's now crucial in computer programming and creative fields, as demonstrated by the achievements of ChatGPT and DALL-E.

Sam Altman for Tech Crunch 2023

Article by Connie Loizos

Altman also gave insight that the team is working on creating an AI model for video production, but a launch date still needs to be set.

As for their most famous chatbot, ChatGPT recently introduced a new GPT-4 version.

This cutting-edge technology will enhance the chatbot's capabilities beyond text, allowing for more advanced communication with humans, including using images. The system can now handle a whopping 25,000 words, a significant increase from ChatGPT's capacity of only one-eighth.

With its rapidly rising popularity, The AI market is becoming increasingly more competitive, and new companies and technologies may emerge quickly and disrupt existing market players.

Altman envisions a future where diverse AI systems coexist, even in the face of competition from giants like Google and other players. He believes that this healthy competition creates a positive environment for progress.

Thoughts on venture investing

As an investor, Altman has made numerous investments in technology startups, particularly in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and fintech. In addition to his investments, Altman is a mentor and advisor to many startups and is known for his hands-on approach to working with founders.

Now is a great time to develop a startup, the best period in many years. Those who launched startups were "washed out" from the market because it was fashionable. Those who work seriously will be able to create really valuable businesses.

Sam Altman for Tech Crunch 2023

Article by Connie Loizos

As an investor, Altman has a keen eye for emerging markets that can revolutionize the world. He firmly believes that cheaper and cleaner energy sources are the need of the hour, and faster travel options can boost businesses and innovation. That's why he has invested in startups like Helion, Hermeus, and Boom Supersonic, all of which have the potential to transform the fuel and travel industry.

The biotech sector has also caught Altman's attention for a good reason. He finds it fascinating that startups like Conception are exploring innovative ways to create viable eggs from blood cells. Although this technology has only been tested on mice, Altman is confident that the next 5-7 years will see significant progress in biotech.

Altman's vision for a brighter future is rooted in his belief that investments in cutting-edge technologies can transform our lives. By backing startups pushing the boundaries of what's possible, he hopes to create a better world for future generations (spoilers: you can do the same).

Sam Altmans investments

We already mentioned Altman's Helion, Hermeus, and Boom Supersonic investments. With over 17 years of experience in venture investing, he has made thousands of assets, personally over 400, including in successful companies like Stripe, the second investment he ever made in life.

Among his other significant investments is Airbnb. Sam was one of the early investors in the company, investing during their Seed round in 2009. Airbnb has seen enormous success, with a valuation of over $100 billion as of early 2021. Altman's early investment in the company has likely paid off handsomely, as Airbnb has grown rapidly over the past decade.

Altman has praised Airbnb for its innovation and disruption of the traditional hotel industry. In a blog post, he wrote that Airbnb was a classic Silicon Valley disruptor, taking on an initiative ripe for change and innovating in ways no one else had thought of.

In March 2020, Raison added Airbnb to the platform, making it the second big company to be added to the VC Marketplace, right after SpaceX. In 2021 Airbnb went public, marking the first deal exit for Raison users, who invested in the company through the app. Since then, there have already been three exits of companies listed on Raison Marketplace and users receiving their ROI, including Robinhood and Digital Ocean.

Altman has also invested in Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk focused on developing brain-machine interface (BMI) technologies. Altman was part of a group of investors participating in Neuralink's $27 million funding round in 2017.

Neuralink's mission is to create a direct interface between the human brain and computers, enabling humans to control machines with their thoughts. The company is developing a "neural lace" technology that would be implanted in the brain and allow for seamless communication between the brain and computers.

Source: Neuralink 2022

Altman has discussed the potential benefits of Neuralink's technology, particularly in medicine. In an interview with CNBC, he said, "The idea that we could have a direct connection between the human brain and technology is something that could be transformative for many people."

Altman has also praised Musk's vision and leadership, saying he is "one of the most talented people in the world at building complex systems." He has said that he believes in Musk's ability to bring about major technological breakthroughs and is excited to join Neuralink's mission.

Altman's investment in Neuralink reflects his interest in cutting-edge technologies and his belief in the potential for innovative startups to transform industries and improve people's lives.

In January 2022, Neuralink became available for investment for Raison users. Since 2019, Raison has gathered three of the biggest Elon Musks project on its VC Marketplace – SpaceX, Neuralink, and the most recent addition of OpenAI.

As mentioned, Altmans has an eye for investing in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and fintech.

You can find a lot of leaders from these industries on Raison VC Marketplace today and add them to your portfolio! Especially with the rising popularity of AI solutions, Raison quickly added OpenAI to the platform, along with other prominent companies like ScaleAI, Standard AI, and Sift!

And the VC Marketplace is full of fintech startups as well. With the latest addition of ConsenSys, the Meta Mask developer, among other fintech leaders, Raison users can add DripCapital, Klarna, and Tradeshift to their portfolio.

To conclude, to invest like Altman, one should focus on identifying startups with strong teams, clear visions, and the potential to make a significant impact in their industries.

Altman's investment philosophy is grounded in his belief in the power of technology to drive positive change and his passion for supporting the most promising startups in the world.

By adopting a similar mindset and approach, investors can aim to achieve success in the fast-paced and rapidly evolving world of startup investing.