Periodic Labs, a new AI science startup founded by Liam Fedus, one of OpenAI’s most influential researchers, and Ekin Dogus Cubuk, a leading Google Brain scientist in machine learning and materials research, has emerged from stealth with a $300 million seed round. The funding was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with early backing from Felicis, and participation from top investors including DST, NVentures (Nvidia), Accel, General Catalyst, and angels such as Jeff Bezos, Elad Gil, Eric Schmidt, and Jeff Dean.
Periodic Labs aims to fuse large language models, robotics, and physics simulations to accelerate material discovery and experimental science. Drawing on breakthroughs in AI reasoning, robotic synthesis, and simulation accuracy, the company is building a fully automated system capable of designing, testing, and refining new compounds — beginning with the search for next-generation superconductors.
Headquartered in San Francisco, the company has already assembled over two dozen elite researchers spanning AI, materials science, and quantum physics, including contributors to OpenAI’s o1 and o3 models and Microsoft’s GenAI materials tools. The startup represents one of the most ambitious efforts yet to merge AI with real-world scientific experimentation, positioning itself at the forefront of autonomous discovery and applied AI research.
Featured image: Credit: Periodic Labs
