OpenAI announced the acquisition of Statsig. While the exact details of the acquisition amount remain undisclosed, sources from CNBC have reported that the deal was valued at around $1.1 billion.
Statsig operates as an experimentation platform that plays a crucial role in empowering product and engineering teams. Facilitating the launch of new features and conducting A/B tests allows these teams to evaluate the impact of their initiatives using real-time data. This capability is vital for making informed, data-driven decisions that can significantly enhance product development and user experience. The platform utilizes various sophisticated tools, including feature flagging, which enables the gradual rollout of new features, and session replays that allow teams to observe user behavior in a detailed manner. Additionally, Statsig uses statistical analysis to optimize product performance, ultimately driving growth for the companies it serves.
Statsig has already forged partnerships with notable organizations, including OpenAI and Microsoft, helping them test new features based on real-time data. This collaboration highlights Statsig’s value in the tech landscape, particularly in improving operational efficiencies and user engagement.
Vijaye Raji, the CEO of Statsig, will transition to a new role as the technology chief in OpenAI’s applications unit. His expertise will contribute to the ongoing development of OpenAI’s offerings. He will report directly to Fidji Simo, who previously served as the CEO of Instacart and was brought on board to lead OpenAI’s applications business earlier this year.
This acquisition is part of a broader trend at OpenAI, reflecting the company’s aggressive strategy of hiring top talent and pursuing strategic acquisitions. Earlier this year, one of its landmark deals was the $6.5 billion purchase of Jony Ive’s company, io, demonstrating OpenAI’s ambition to enhance its technological prowess and market presence. As the company continues to evolve, it is clear that these strategic moves are paving the way for innovative developments that could reshape various industries.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions.
KEY QUOTES:
“Vijaye has a remarkable record of building new consumer and B2B products and systems at scale. He’s joining at a time when our models are opening entirely new ways to build, and his leadership will help turn that progress into safe applications that empower people with many new tools to improve their lives, help companies increase their impact and allow developers to build faster and better products.”
Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications, OpenAI
“Joining OpenAI as CTO of Applications is an extraordinary opportunity to bring my experience scaling consumer and enterprise products to a mission I deeply believe in: advancing AI in ways that are capable of solving hard problems, reliable, and truly beneficial to people everywhere. The journey with Statsig has been deeply gratifying, leading me to this moment and giving me conviction that we will continue helping teams ship better software every day.”
Vijaye Raji, incoming CTO of Applications, OpenAI
