TLDR:
- An unknown person briefly took control of OpenAI’s $175 million startup fund
- OpenAI claims the documents naming the individual as manager are fake
Last year, OpenAI’s $175 million startup fund was briefly managed by an unknown individual named Jacob Thomas Vespers, according to documents filed in California. However, OpenAI refutes the existence of Vespers and claims the documents are fabricated. The fund, which raised $175 million, is a significant player in Silicon Valley’s investment scene. OpenAI’s spokesperson stated that the official document filed in August 2023 does not list anyone as the manager of the fund, and the company was unaware of the filing naming Vespers until a journalist’s inquiry. The California Secretary of State considers knowingly filing false documents a felony. The mysterious individual associated with the fund, Jacob Thomas Vespers, has little online presence and some signs suggest AI-generated content. The case raises questions about the legitimacy and security of documents filed with public offices and the potential consequences of such actions.
