Latest news with #GuillaumeLample
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mistral AI seeks $1bn equity funding with potential MGX backing
Mistral AI, one of the major players in the European AI sector, is reportedly engaged in negotiations to raise up to $1bn in equity funding. Potential investors include Abu Dhabi's sovereign technology investor, MGX. According to a report by Bloomberg, these discussions are in preliminary stages and have not yet defined a valuation for Mistral should the financing materialise. The Paris-based AI startup is also seeking substantial debt financing from French banks, including Bpifrance, which is an existing stakeholder. Founded in France in 2023, Mistral focuses on developing open-source large language models (LLMs) and is currently claimed to be Europe's largest AI startup. It has amassed over €1bn ($1.17bn) in investment to date, achieving a €5.8bn ($6.79bn) valuation after last year's fundraising round. In its latest Series B round concluded in June 2024, Mistral raked in €600m ($643m) in funding. Mistral was co-founded by Arthur Mensch, Guillaume Lample, and Timothée Lacroix. The company categorises its LLMs into general purpose, specialist, and research models. These models often use an open-weight structure under an Apache 2.0 license and are accessible across common machine learning platforms, though top-tier models sometimes carry commercial restrictions. Mistral adopts distinct naming conventions for its models, such as 'Mistral 7B' which highlight parameter counts or terms like 'Mistral Large.' Some updates lead to changes in model names, as demonstrated when 'Mistral Large' transitioned to 'Mistral Large 2'. The company's Le Chat platform functions as a beta version chatbot, which was released in February. Le Chat competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms by leveraging intelligent conversation interfaces. It incorporates various models including the advanced multimodal Pixtral 12B. In May 2025, Mistral formed a joint venture with MGX and Nvidia with an aim to create what is projected to be Europe's most extensive AI data centre near Paris. In June 2025, Mistral and oil and gas major TotalEnergies formed a partnership to establish an innovation lab designed to explore digital energy production solutions that transition towards low-carbon technologies. "Mistral AI seeks $1bn equity funding with potential MGX backing" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mistral AI seeks $1bn equity funding with potential MGX backing
Mistral AI, one of the major players in the European AI sector, is reportedly engaged in negotiations to raise up to $1bn in equity funding. Potential investors include Abu Dhabi's sovereign technology investor, MGX. According to a report by Bloomberg, these discussions are in preliminary stages and have not yet defined a valuation for Mistral should the financing materialise. The Paris-based AI startup is also seeking substantial debt financing from French banks, including Bpifrance, which is an existing stakeholder. Founded in France in 2023, Mistral focuses on developing open-source large language models (LLMs) and is currently claimed to be Europe's largest AI startup. It has amassed over €1bn ($1.17bn) in investment to date, achieving a €5.8bn ($6.79bn) valuation after last year's fundraising round. In its latest Series B round concluded in June 2024, Mistral raked in €600m ($643m) in funding. Mistral was co-founded by Arthur Mensch, Guillaume Lample, and Timothée Lacroix. The company categorises its LLMs into general purpose, specialist, and research models. These models often use an open-weight structure under an Apache 2.0 license and are accessible across common machine learning platforms, though top-tier models sometimes carry commercial restrictions. Mistral adopts distinct naming conventions for its models, such as 'Mistral 7B' which highlight parameter counts or terms like 'Mistral Large.' Some updates lead to changes in model names, as demonstrated when 'Mistral Large' transitioned to 'Mistral Large 2'. The company's Le Chat platform functions as a beta version chatbot, which was released in February. Le Chat competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms by leveraging intelligent conversation interfaces. It incorporates various models including the advanced multimodal Pixtral 12B. In May 2025, Mistral formed a joint venture with MGX and Nvidia with an aim to create what is projected to be Europe's most extensive AI data centre near Paris. In June 2025, Mistral and oil and gas major TotalEnergies formed a partnership to establish an innovation lab designed to explore digital energy production solutions that transition towards low-carbon technologies. "Mistral AI seeks $1bn equity funding with potential MGX backing" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta's Llama AI Team Suffers Talent Exodus As Top Researchers Join $2B Mistral AI, Backed By Andreessen Horowitz And Salesforce
, a Paris-based startup founded by former Meta (NASDAQ:META) researchers Guillaume Lample and Timothée Lacroix, is rapidly emerging as a key player in the open-source AI space, and it's doing so with Meta's top talent. The tech giant is contending with a major loss of talent within its AI division as the architects behind its flagship Llama models exit the company. According to Business Insider, only three of the 14 researchers credited on the 2023 Llama paper remain employed at Meta. Five of the Llama paper's co-authors have joined Mistral in the past 18 months, intensifying scrutiny around Meta's ability to retain top-tier AI personnel, Business Insider reports. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Backed by $2 billion in funding, Mistral AI is rapidly gaining ground as one of the most aggressive challengers in the open-source AI space. As reported by TechCrunch, the company is supported by premier venture firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), all known for placing high-stakes bets on transformative technologies. Other notable backers include Bpifrance, Xavier Niel, Eric Schmidt, General Catalyst, and BNP Paribas, reflecting deep institutional and individual confidence in Mistral's long-term vision. Founded in 2023, Mistral is building advanced open-weight AI models that directly compete with Meta's Llama family. Its approach appeals to developers seeking transparency and customization in contrast to the closed nature of proprietary systems. With former Meta researchers such as Marie-Anne Lachaux, Thibaut Lavril, and Baptiste Rozière now working alongside Mistral's founders, the company may lead the next wave of open-source innovation, Business Insider reports. Trending: Meta's previous dominance in this space was largely defined by its decision to release Llama models with open access to their architecture and training data. According to Business Insider, that move helped validate open-weight large language models as viable alternatives to proprietary giants like OpenAI and Google. But with the original architects of Llama now working elsewhere, Meta's early lead is under pressure. Meta's internal AI leadership is undergoing a shift as well. In April, longtime executive Joelle Pineau stepped away from her role leading the Fundamental AI Research group after eight years. Taking over the position is Robert Fergus, a FAIR co-founder and former DeepMind scientist, marking a return to Meta following a five-year stint at Google's AI lab, Business Insider says. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta's largest AI model to date, dubbed Behemoth, has been delayed due to internal concerns over performance and direction. Meanwhile, Business Insider notes that developers are increasingly turning to faster-evolving alternatives such as Qwen and DeepSeek following the Llama 4 investing billions into AI infrastructure, Meta still lacks a model explicitly focused on reasoning tasks, such as multi-step problem-solving or tool use. According to Business Insider, competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic are moving quickly to prioritize those capabilities, and without that strategic leap, Meta's influence over the open-source ecosystem may continue to decline. Of the 11 researchers who left Meta since the Llama paper's publication, most had been with the company for more than five years, according to LinkedIn profiles reviewed by Business Insider. Some departed as recently as February. Their exits mark a significant shift in Meta's AI capabilities and raise questions about the company's ability to maintain its leadership in the field. Read Next: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? SALESFORCE (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Meta's Llama AI Team Suffers Talent Exodus As Top Researchers Join $2B Mistral AI, Backed By Andreessen Horowitz And Salesforce originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta's Llama AI Team Suffers Talent Exodus As Top Researchers Join $2B Mistral AI, Backed By Andreessen Horowitz And Salesforce
, a Paris-based startup founded by former Meta (NASDAQ:META) researchers Guillaume Lample and Timothée Lacroix, is rapidly emerging as a key player in the open-source AI space, and it's doing so with Meta's top talent. The tech giant is contending with a major loss of talent within its AI division as the architects behind its flagship Llama models exit the company. According to Business Insider, only three of the 14 researchers credited on the 2023 Llama paper remain employed at Meta. Five of the Llama paper's co-authors have joined Mistral in the past 18 months, intensifying scrutiny around Meta's ability to retain top-tier AI personnel, Business Insider reports. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Backed by $2 billion in funding, Mistral AI is rapidly gaining ground as one of the most aggressive challengers in the open-source AI space. As reported by TechCrunch, the company is supported by premier venture firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), all known for placing high-stakes bets on transformative technologies. Other notable backers include Bpifrance, Xavier Niel, Eric Schmidt, General Catalyst, and BNP Paribas, reflecting deep institutional and individual confidence in Mistral's long-term vision. Founded in 2023, Mistral is building advanced open-weight AI models that directly compete with Meta's Llama family. Its approach appeals to developers seeking transparency and customization in contrast to the closed nature of proprietary systems. With former Meta researchers such as Marie-Anne Lachaux, Thibaut Lavril, and Baptiste Rozière now working alongside Mistral's founders, the company may lead the next wave of open-source innovation, Business Insider reports. Trending: Meta's previous dominance in this space was largely defined by its decision to release Llama models with open access to their architecture and training data. According to Business Insider, that move helped validate open-weight large language models as viable alternatives to proprietary giants like OpenAI and Google. But with the original architects of Llama now working elsewhere, Meta's early lead is under pressure. Meta's internal AI leadership is undergoing a shift as well. In April, longtime executive Joelle Pineau stepped away from her role leading the Fundamental AI Research group after eight years. Taking over the position is Robert Fergus, a FAIR co-founder and former DeepMind scientist, marking a return to Meta following a five-year stint at Google's AI lab, Business Insider says. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta's largest AI model to date, dubbed Behemoth, has been delayed due to internal concerns over performance and direction. Meanwhile, Business Insider notes that developers are increasingly turning to faster-evolving alternatives such as Qwen and DeepSeek following the Llama 4 investing billions into AI infrastructure, Meta still lacks a model explicitly focused on reasoning tasks, such as multi-step problem-solving or tool use. According to Business Insider, competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic are moving quickly to prioritize those capabilities, and without that strategic leap, Meta's influence over the open-source ecosystem may continue to decline. Of the 11 researchers who left Meta since the Llama paper's publication, most had been with the company for more than five years, according to LinkedIn profiles reviewed by Business Insider. Some departed as recently as February. Their exits mark a significant shift in Meta's AI capabilities and raise questions about the company's ability to maintain its leadership in the field. Read Next: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? SALESFORCE (CRM): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Meta's Llama AI Team Suffers Talent Exodus As Top Researchers Join $2B Mistral AI, Backed By Andreessen Horowitz And Salesforce originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Jordan Times
31-01-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
France's Mistral hails DeepSeek's AI model
PARIS — French AI startup Mistral on Thursday hailed Chinese competitor DeepSeek's R1 model as 'great' for the fast-developing sector, while announcing another new release of its own. Mistral has in the past been hailed for offering models — the engines that power generative AIs — comparable with American giants at a fraction of the cost in energy and cash. DeepSeek claimed that its R1 release pulled off a similar feat, causing near panic in the US this week and battering tech stocks. R1 is 'a great and complementary piece of open-source technology', Mistral said in a statement on its website, referring to the fact that elements of DeepSeek's technology are available for other researchers to use and build on. The French firm's own Thursday release, 'Mistral Small 3', is 'competitive with larger models' including Meta's Llama or Qwen, developed by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, Mistral said. It added that Small 3 was 'the most efficient model of its category' and might be used for tasks ranging from customer service to detecting financial fraud or controlling robots. The new model 'complements large open-source reasoning models like the recent releases of DeepSeek, and can serve as a strong base model for making reasoning capabilities emerge', Mistral said. Like DeepSeek, Mistral offers elements of its technology as open-source tools for other developers. The French underdog shot to prominence following its 2023 founding by Arthur Mensch, Guillaume Lample and Timothee Lacroix, becoming Europe's greatest hope of matching US heavyweights. Mistral took in 600 million euros (626 million) in a summer fundraising round, bringing its valuation to around 6 billion euros. AFP news agency signed a deal with Mistral in mid-January allowing the startup's chatbot to draw on the news agency's articles to formulate responses. Some in the US have accused DeepSeek of simply piggybacking on the work of American AI developers like OpenAI's ChatGPT models, rather than achieving its high performance independently. Page 2
