Quondam Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal’s AI Startup: $30M Funded Venture

By Consultants Review Team Wednesday, 10 January 2024

The technology sector is buzzing with anticipation as Parag Agrawal, the former CEO of Twitter (now X), reemerges in the business arena following his tumultuous exit from the social media giant. Agrawal, who exited Twitter amid a dramatic takeover by Elon Musk, is now quietly spearheading a new venture—an artificial intelligence (AI) startup that has successfully secured an impressive $30 million in initial funding. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Agrawal's new endeavor is focused on pioneering software tailored for Large Language Model (LLM) developers.

The funding for this AI initiative was reportedly led by Khosla Ventures, with significant contributions from well-known venture capital entities such as Index Ventures and First Round Capital. This substantial backing reflects a strong vote of confidence in Agrawal's vision for innovation in the field of AI.

Parag Agrawal's departure from Twitter was intricately linked to Elon Musk's swift takeover and subsequent rebranding of the platform as 'X.' The saga unfolded in April 2022 when Musk, transitioning from Twitter's largest shareholder to initiating a takeover bid, initially announced his intention to join the board. However, this move was quickly retracted following a controversial tweet casting doubt on the platform's viability.

The subsequent months were marked by a rollercoaster of negotiations and legal battles. Musk's initial bid to acquire Twitter for $54.20 per share faced challenges, including his demand for more transparent data on bot activity. Legal conflicts ensued as Twitter sought to compel Musk to fulfill the agreement, leading to counterclaims from Musk alleging misleading information provided by the company.

Ultimately, on October 27, after a series of intense exchanges, the acquisition was formalized, marking the transformation of Twitter into 'X.' Shortly thereafter, Musk undertook a significant restructuring, parting ways with Agrawal, former CFO Ned Segal, and ex-chief legal officer Vijaya Gadde. Parag Agrawal's return to the forefront with a well-funded AI startup signals a new chapter in his career and adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving landscape of technology ventures.

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