OpenAI purchases a platform for remote cooperation

Days after acquiring database technology company Rockset, OpenAI has acquired Multi (formerly Remotion), a startup developing an enterprise-focused, video-first collaboration platform. A source familiar with the matter says the deal is technically an acquisition and that most of Multi's team — about five people — will join OpenAI after the deal closes. Multi will close after July 24, said Alexander Embirikos, CEO and one of its co-founders.

"We are very excited to announce that Multi is joining OpenAI," he wrote in a post on the Multi blog. “Thank you to everyone who used Multi. It was a privilege working with you and we learned a lot from you.  With Multi, Embiricos (former product manager at Dropbox) and Multi's second co-founder Charlie Ho (former Google software engineer) set out to create a zoom-based platform for remote teams to work together via video chat. Several features are offered, such as the ability to collaborate on screen with up to 10 people at once, customizable shortcuts, and automatic deep links to code, designs, and documents.

According to Crunchbase, Multi raised $13 million in cash from venture capital firms including Greylock and First Round Capital before exiting on Monday. As with the Rockset acquisition, the Multi deal appears to fit into OpenAI's broader recent strategy of investing heavily in the company's solutions. OpenAI recently revealed that its viral AI-powered chatbot platform ChatGPT had nearly 600,000 enterprise users, including 93% of all Fortune 500 companies. In May, Openai and PWC signed an agreement on OPENAI instruments filling other companies. A month ago, the company launched a company -oriented customized AI model customization and consulting plan. The company acquisitions appear to be paying dividends, with OpenAI's revenue this year set to exceed $3.4 billion, according to The Information.

As with OpenAI's other enterprise-focused product efforts, could we one day see a revamped ChatGPT with video conferencing and remote collaboration? maybe. I wouldn't put it above OpenAI - especially as the gap between the organization's leading models stretches.