In a major move that underscores its ambitions beyond AI and research, OpenAI has announced the acquisition of Statsig, a Seattle-based experimentation and analytics platform, in an all-stock deal valued at $1.1 billion. This strategic move not only brings Statsig’s powerful experimentation platform into OpenAI’s ecosystem but also brings its founder and CEO, Vijaye Raji, to OpenAI’s leadership team as Chief Technology Officer of Applications, marking another significant step in the company's expansive growth trajectory.
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| Photo by Andrew Neel/Pexels |
Why OpenAI Buys Statsig
Founded in 2021 and based in Bellevue, Seattle, Statsig provides a comprehensive experimentation platform for software teams—including tools for A/B testing, feature flagging, product analytics, session replay, web analytics, and marketing experiments. The US-based startup has rapidly established itself as an essential tool for engineering and product teams by providing comprehensive solutions such as A/B testing, feature flagging, session replay, and marketing analytics. With high-profile clients including Atlassian, Notion, Bloomberg—and even OpenAI—Statsig has proven to be instrumental and a backbone for data-driven product development.
OpenAI’s core products, ChatGPT, Codex, and enterprise AI offerings, demand constant fine-tuning and real-world validation. By bringing Statsig in-house expertise, OpenAI can integrate experimentation directly into its development process, drastically reducing the iteration cycles for products like ChatGPT and Codex.
The Leadership Changes
Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji will join OpenAI as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications. The Statsig CEO and founder will now oversee product engineering for OpenAI’s applications, including ChatGPT, Codex, and related core systems, as well as infrastructure and integrity. He will report directly to Fidji Simo, the newly appointed CEO of Applications. Together, they will steer how OpenAI’s models are translated into polished products.
Other leadership moves include Srinivas Narayanan, formerly head of engineering, who becomes CTO of B2B Applications, focusing on enterprise and government solutions. Kevin Weil, previously OpenAI's Chief Product Officer, transitions into a new role as VP of AI for Science, where he will explore the potential of AI in scientific discovery. This leadership change signals a clear intent: OpenAI is building a dedicated applications organization to complement its research-heavy foundation.
Statsig to Operate Independently
According to OpenAI, Statsig will continue to operate independently from its Seattle office, serving its existing customers. Its employees will transition to OpenAI once the deal finalizes, pending regulatory approval. By retaining Statsig’s operational independence, OpenAI minimizes disruption while integrating advanced capabilities, signaling a long-term, thoughtful growth path.
Statsig has raised about $100 million earlier in 2025, achieving a valuation of $1.1 billion—matching the acquisition price tag. The startup has around 155 employees, with plans to expand to 200 by early 2026.
Finally, this latest deal, one of OpenAI’s largest to date, underscores its push not just to lead in AI research but to dominate the AI application landscape—from consumer to enterprise. It follows closely on the heels of OpenAI’s recent purchase of Jony Ive’s hardware startup for $6.5 billion—a testament to the AI giant's commitment to owning the entire AI stack from foundational research through application deployment.
Statsig Joins OpenAI Family at $1.1 Billion Valuation; CEO to Lead Applications Division
Reviewed by Erwin Castro
on
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
Rating:
Reviewed by Erwin Castro
on
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
Rating:

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