A new artificial intelligence startup founded by a former Google DeepMind leader has raised a record-breaking seed round, according to a CNBC report, underscoring surging investor appetite for next-generation AI systems. Ineffable Intelligence, founded by renowned AI researcher David Silver, secured approximately $1.1 billion in seed funding, one of the largest early-stage financings ever recorded. The round values the company at roughly $5.1 billion and includes participation from major global investors, including Nvidia and Google, as well as leading venture capital firms.
The company, launched in late 2025 and headquartered in London, is focused on developing advanced AI systems based on reinforcement learning rather than traditional large language models. Silver, who previously led key breakthroughs such as AlphaGo, is pursuing a “superlearner” approach in which AI systems learn autonomously through experience instead of relying on human-generated data.
The funding highlights a broader shift in the AI landscape, where elite researchers are leaving established labs to build independent companies targeting foundational breakthroughs. Investors are increasingly backing these efforts at unprecedented scale, even before products or revenue models are fully defined.
The involvement of major technology players, including Nvidia and Google, reflects strategic interest in shaping the next wave of AI infrastructure and capabilities. Nvidia alone is reported to have contributed a substantial portion of the funding, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of advanced AI development.
Ineffable Intelligence enters a rapidly evolving competitive landscape, where other heavily funded AI startups are pursuing alternative architectures beyond conventional generative models. The company’s emphasis on reinforcement learning could position it as a differentiated player if it successfully addresses scalability and performance challenges.
The record-setting round also marks a milestone for Europe’s technology ecosystem, signaling that the region is increasingly capable of attracting and retaining top-tier AI talent and capital.
