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    Zero Shot, a new VC fund founded by OpenAI alumni, is raising $100 million for its first fund according to TechCrunch

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    The fund has already written checks to portfolio companies despite still being in fundraising mode

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    The launch reflects a broader pattern of AI lab veterans transitioning into venture capital to back emerging AI startups

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    This positions Zero Shot to compete with other operator-led funds chasing AI deals in an increasingly crowded market

A new venture capital fund with deep roots in OpenAI is making waves in Silicon Valley. Zero Shot, launched by former OpenAI employees, is targeting $100 million for its debut fund and has already started deploying capital, according to exclusive reporting by TechCrunch. The move signals a growing trend of AI insiders leveraging their expertise and networks to back the next generation of artificial intelligence startups.

OpenAI alumni are putting their money where their expertise is. Zero Shot, a newly formed venture capital fund helmed by former OpenAI insiders, is quietly raising what could become a $100 million vehicle to invest in the next wave of AI companies. The fund hasn’t just filed paperwork – it’s already deployed capital into its first portfolio companies, signaling confidence despite operating in one of the most competitive fundraising environments in recent memory.

The timing couldn’t be more strategic. As OpenAI continues to dominate headlines with its rapid product releases and sky-high valuation, former employees are capitalizing on their insider knowledge and networks. Zero Shot joins a growing cohort of operator-led funds launched by veterans of leading AI labs, including alumni from Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Meta AI. These founders-turned-funders bring technical credibility and access that traditional venture capitalists struggle to match.

According to TechCrunch’s exclusive reporting, Zero Shot has kept its operations deliberately low-profile while it closes its fundraising round. The stealth approach mirrors how many AI-focused funds have operated recently, preferring to secure commitments from limited partners before making public announcements. The fund’s decision to start writing checks before fully closing the round suggests strong demand from entrepreneurs seeking investors who understand the technical nuances of building AI products.

The $100 million target puts Zero Shot in the emerging manager category, a size that offers flexibility to write seed and Series A checks without needing the massive outcomes required by multi-billion dollar mega-funds. For context, first-time fund managers raised an average of $67 million in 2025, according to PitchBook data. Zero Shot’s target represents a bet that domain expertise in AI can command a premium from institutional investors hungry for exposure to the sector.