Ex-OpenAI exec Bob McGrew raises $230M for manufacturing AI startup Arda

Arda, the startup of former OpenAI researcher Bob McGrew, has raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. It builds an AI assistant for manufacturing engineers that speeds up retooling of assembly lines, and its models are already deployed with Anduril. The round was led by Altimeter Capital, Accel and Khosla Ventures.

• Arda is valued at $1.5 billion after raising $230 million
• Its AI cuts line retooling from 3–6 months to far less
• Arda's models are already deployed with Anduril
• Robotics and factory automation are next on the roadmap