TechCrunch Startup News Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation
Dec 22, 2025
Yann LeCun has officially launched a new startup focused on world model AI, although he won’t be taking the helm as CEO. Alex LeBrun has been appointed as the new leader, bringing a wealth of experience from major tech companies. Fundraising efforts are underway with a target of 500 million euros at a valuation of 3 billion euros. The podcast dives into the significance of world models over traditional AI methods, highlighting their potential to simulate cause and effect without the pitfalls of hallucinations.
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LeCun Starts A World-Model Company
- Yann LeCun launched Advanced Machine Intelligence (AMI) but will not be its CEO.
- AMI focuses on building 'world model' AI as an alternative to LLMs that simulates cause and effect.
Alex LeBrun Joins As CEO
- AMI hired Alex LeBrun, former Nabla co-founder and CEO, to be its CEO while LeCun stays off the CEO chair.
- LeBrun will remain chair and chief AI scientist at Nabla and Nabla signed a partnership to use AMI models.
Ambitious Fundraising From Day One
- AMI reportedly seeks €500M at a €3B valuation, roughly $586M at €3B (~$3.5B) valuation entry.
- High seed valuations reflect investor appetite for startups led by world-recognized AI scientists.