# Flapping Airplanes

**Source:** https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/flapping-airplanes
**Profile type:** Startup

> Research-first frontier AI lab focused on radically efficient, sample-efficient learning systems.

## About

Flapping Airplanes, founded by Ben Spector (age 25), Asher Spector (age 26), and Aidan Smith (Thiel fellow, ex-Neuralink), aims to build AI 100,000x more sample-efficient than current models. Raised $180M funding (Jan 28, 2026) from Index Ventures, Sequoia, GV.

## Key facts

- **Slug:** flapping-airplanes
- **Website:** https://flappingairplanes.com/
- **Location:** San Francisco, United States
- **Founded:** 2026-01-28
- **Operating status:** Inactive
- **Total funding:** $180M
- **Sectors / tags:** Artificial Intelligence, Research Lab, Foundation Models, Efficient Learning, AGI Research, NeoLab

## Frequently asked

### What does Flapping Airplanes do?

Flapping Airplanes, founded by Ben Spector (age 25), Asher Spector (age 26), and Aidan Smith (Thiel fellow, ex-Neuralink), aims to build AI 100,000x more sample-efficient than current models. Raised $180M funding (Jan 28, 2026) from Index Ventures, Sequoia, GV.

### What is Flapping Airplanes's revenue?

StartupHub estimates Flapping Airplanes's annual revenue at $847.5M (range $350.9M to $1.1B, 42% confidence), based on comparable companies in the sector.

### What is Flapping Airplanes's valuation?

StartupHub estimates Flapping Airplanes's effective valuation at $4.3B (range $3.0B to $5.6B, 42% confidence), based on comparable companies in the sector.

### How much funding has Flapping Airplanes raised?

Flapping Airplanes has raised a total of $180M in funding. The most recent round on record is Undisclosed.

### Where is Flapping Airplanes headquartered?

Flapping Airplanes is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.

### When was Flapping Airplanes founded?

Flapping Airplanes was founded in 2026.

### What industry does Flapping Airplanes operate in?

Flapping Airplanes operates in Artificial Intelligence, Research Lab, Foundation Models, Efficient Learning, AGI Research, NeoLab.

### What is Flapping Airplanes's current status?

Flapping Airplanes's current operating status is: Inactive.

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