Mettle and Peak XV back Empirical Machines
By Abha Lohia ·
Empirical Machines: funding and every story →
- Empirical Machines is an AI startup started by Shyamal Hitesh Anadkat, who earlier did research work at OpenAI
- Two venture firms, Mettle Capital and Peak XV, are set to put money into a round that has grown to about $20 million
- It is the first deal for Mettle, a fund set up in May 2026 by three partners who left Peak XV
What happened
- Mettle Capital and Peak XV are set to co-invest in the startup.
- The round is now about $20 million, up from an earlier plan near $15 million.
- The investor mix changed during talks.
Why it matters
- It is the first investment by Mettle Capital.
- Mettle's founders left Peak XV earlier this year, so both now share a cap table.
The business
- Empirical Machines is an AI startup.
- Its founder is a former OpenAI researcher.
The founders
- Former OpenAI researcher
Who put in money
- Peak XV Partners Investor — Venture capital firm
- Mettle Capital Investor — Fund started in May 2026 by ex-Peak XV partners
Earlier rounds
- Earlier talks were for $15M with Peak XV and Bessemer.
Words to know
- Cap table
- List of who owns how much of a company
Terms in this story
- Startup: A startup is a young company built to find a new way of doing something and to grow fast, usually by serving many customers at low extra cost. India's government also has a narrower legal definition that decides who gets scheme benefits.
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