A team of former Allen Institute for AI scientists, including Oren Etzioni, has founded Vercept, a Seattle-based stealth AI startup focused on cutting-edge AI applications.

A group of former Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) research leaders has come together to form Vercept, a Seattle-based artificial intelligence startup. Although Vercept has already secured seed funding, the team is keeping its goals and projects under wraps, describing the company as a “stealth startup working on next-generation AI applications.”

Leading the team is CEO and co-founder Kiana Ehsani, a former senior researcher at Ai2 who oversaw robotics and embodied AI initiatives. Embodied AI focuses on creating intelligent systems that learn and interact with their physical environments, blending computer vision, machine learning, and robotics.

Key Members of the Founding Team

The founding team brings deep expertise from the AI and tech sectors:

  • Matt Deitke: Former Ai2 researcher who led projects such as Molmo, ProcTHOR, and Objaverse.
  • Luca Weihs: Former Ai2 research manager specializing in AI agents and reinforcement learning.
  • Ross Girshick: Renowned computer vision and deep learning expert, and former research scientist at Meta AI and Ai2.

Another notable co-founder is Oren Etzioni, founding CEO of Ai2. Etzioni stepped down from his Ai2 role in 2022 and recently led TrueMedia.org, a nonprofit AI organization that has since ceased operations. Last week, he confirmed his involvement with Vercept in a LinkedIn post.

Backed by the AI2 Incubator

The AI2 Incubator, which spun off from the Allen Institute for AI in 2022, is Vercept’s first institutional investor. According to Jacob Colker, managing director of the AI2 Incubator, the organization is actively supporting Vercept’s mission to pioneer groundbreaking AI solutions.

While Vercept has yet to reveal specific projects, Washington state corporation records show the company was formed in November. Its website confirms the completion of a seed funding round and highlights job openings for those interested in joining its mission to redefine AI applications.

Focus on Next-Generation AI

Vercept’s emphasis on embodied AI and next-gen applications positions it as a key player in the evolving AI landscape. By leveraging the expertise of its founding team, the startup aims to develop AI systems that can learn, adapt, and interact seamlessly with the real world.

Although details about the funding and investors remain undisclosed in SEC filings and PitchBook databases, Vercept’s affiliation with AI2 and its leadership team suggest strong backing and ambitious goals.

What’s Next for Vercept?

As a stealth AI startup, Vercept is keeping much of its vision under wraps. However, with its highly experienced team and institutional backing, it is poised to make waves in the AI industry. Those interested in Vercept’s journey can follow updates on its official website or career page.