OpenAI to Acquire Product Testing Startup Statsig, Names New CTO of Applications

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence pioneer known for developing ChatGPT, announced on Tuesday its plan to acquire the product testing startup Statsig in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $1.1 billion. This valuation is based on OpenAI’s current worth of $300 billion. The acquisition highlights OpenAI’s ongoing strategic efforts to enhance its artificial intelligence product suite amid increasing competition from global rivals. As part of the acquisition, Statsig’s CEO, Vijaye Raji, will be appointed as OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of applications. In this role, Raji will lead product engineering efforts for ChatGPT as well as the company’s AI coding agent, Codex, overseeing both core systems and product lines, including infrastructure.

The acquisition is part of a broader expansion strategy by OpenAI, following its earlier purchase of former iPhone designer Jony Ive’s startup, io Products, in a $6.5 billion deal aimed at developing AI hardware. This demonstrates OpenAI’s commitment to strengthening both its software and hardware capabilities, ensuring it remains at the forefront of AI innovation. Statsig, founded to provide advanced testing tools for software developers, allows its clients to evaluate and flag new features before release, improving product quality and user experience. The startup had previously raised $100 million in funding earlier this year, reflecting investor confidence in its technology and market potential.

OpenAI’s acquisition of Statsig is also a reflection of its rapid financial growth. Bolstered by the success of ChatGPT, the company reportedly doubled its revenue in the first seven months of 2025, reaching an annualized run rate of $12 billion. Projections suggest OpenAI could achieve a revenue target of $20 billion by the end of the year. Additionally, OpenAI is planning a tender offer round to provide employee liquidity at a valuation of $500 billion, demonstrating strong investor interest and a commitment to rewarding its workforce as the company expands.

Once the acquisition is finalized, Statsig’s employees will join OpenAI but continue operating independently out of the startup’s Seattle office. This arrangement is designed to preserve the startup’s innovative culture and ensure continuity of its operations, while allowing OpenAI to leverage Statsig’s technologies for its AI products. By integrating Statsig’s expertise in product testing, OpenAI aims to enhance the quality, performance, and reliability of its AI solutions, providing users with improved products and experiences.

Overall, the acquisition represents a significant step for OpenAI in expanding its AI ecosystem. With Raji leading application-focused product engineering, and with Statsig’s tools supporting robust product testing, OpenAI is positioning itself to maintain a competitive edge in the fast-evolving AI industry. The move consolidates OpenAI’s strategy of combining innovative software development with hardware advancements, ensuring the company remains a leader in both AI research and commercial product deployment. This acquisition underscores OpenAI’s vision of building AI systems that are not only cutting-edge but also rigorously tested for performance and usability, reinforcing its commitment to technological excellence and market leadership.

By acquiring Statsig, OpenAI strengthens its capability to deliver high-quality, reliable AI applications while sustaining the rapid innovation necessary to stay ahead in the highly competitive AI landscape. The combination of financial growth, strategic talent acquisition, and technological enhancement positions OpenAI for continued dominance in the global AI sector.