Reflection AI

Summary

Reflection AI, a Brooklyn-based AI startup co-founded by former Google DeepMind researchers Misha Laskin and Ioannis Antonoglou, has raised a colossal $2 billion in a Series B funding round at an $8 billion valuation. Barely a year old, the company is positioning itself as a major contender in the open-source AI race, aiming to build superintelligent foundation models that rival the likes of Meta’s Llama and China’s DeepSeek. The funding – one of the largest ever for an open-source AI lab – drew participation from heavyweights including NVIDIA, B Capital, Citi Ventures, DST Global, Hillspire (Eric Schmidt’s family office), GIC, and 1789 Capital, alongside existing backers CRV, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Sequoia. With this massive infusion, Reflection plans to expand its research and development of large-scale AI models, doubling down on its mission to democratize AI by openly releasing advanced AI systems and allowing broader community oversight.