Periodic Labs: AI Autonomous Laboratories Accelerating Science

Periodic Labs is a United States based artificial intelligence company building autonomous laboratories to speed up scientific discovery. The company focuses mainly on materials science, using AI systems that can design experiments, run physical tests, analyse results, and generate new data without constant human input.

Founded in 2025, Periodic Labs applies modern machine learning to real world science in the same way large language models transformed digital work. Instead of writing text, Periodic Labs AI systems work with atoms, molecules, and materials, aiming to discover new substances faster and more efficiently than traditional research methods.

The company emerged from stealth in late 2025 after announcing a $300 million seed funding round, placing it among the most well funded AI research startups in the world.

Periodic Labs AI and Autonomous Laboratories

Periodic Labs AI is designed to act as an automated scientific researcher. These systems plan experiments, control laboratory equipment, collect results, and refine future experiments based on what they learn.

Unlike traditional research labs, which depend heavily on manual processes, autonomous laboratories can operate continuously. This allows Periodic Labs to test far more material combinations, reduce costs, and shorten the time needed to move from theory to real world results.

The company’s primary focus is materials discovery for critical industries such as energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. One long term goal is the discovery of new high temperature superconductors, which could transform power transmission and computing.

Periodic Labs Founders and Leadership

Liam Fedus, Co Founder

Liam Fedus is a co founder of Periodic Labs and previously served as Vice President of Research at OpenAI. He was involved in the development of large scale AI systems and played a role in shaping research behind models such as ChatGPT.

At Periodic Labs, Fedus brings experience in building and scaling advanced AI research teams, as well as applying machine learning to complex real world problems beyond software.

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Ekin Dogus Cubuk, Co Founder

Ekin Dogus Cubuk is a co founder of Periodic Labs and a former researcher at Google Brain and DeepMind. His work focused on applying machine learning to physics and materials science, particularly in discovering new materials using AI driven methods.

Cubuk’s research background forms the scientific foundation of Periodic Labs, bridging artificial intelligence with experimental science.

Together, the Periodic Labs founders combine deep AI expertise with domain knowledge in physics and chemistry, positioning the company to tackle difficult scientific challenges.

Periodic Labs Funding and Valuation

Periodic Labs funding attracted significant attention due to the size and profile of its investors. In late 2025, the company raised $300 million in a seed funding round, one of the largest seed rounds ever recorded in the AI and scientific research space.

The funding round was reportedly led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Nvidia, Accel, Jeff Bezos, and Eric Schmidt. OpenAI is also expected to maintain a strategic relationship with the company.

Following the investment, Periodic Labs was reportedly valued at up to $1.5 billion prior to the funding round. The capital is being used to hire researchers, build laboratory infrastructure, and scale its autonomous experimentation platform.

Where Periodic Labs Operates

The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company also operates a facility in Gardena, California, which focuses on cosmetics and personal care manufacturing research.

This dual location setup allows Periodic Labs to apply its AI systems across different industrial domains while maintaining a central research hub in Silicon Valley.

Is Periodic Labs Stock Publicly Traded?

Periodic Labs stock is not publicly traded. The company is privately held and has not announced any plans for an initial public offering.

Investors interested in Periodic Labs stock may only gain exposure through private funding rounds or secondary markets, where access is typically limited to accredited investors.

How Periodic Labs Compares to Other AI Science Startups

Periodic Labs operates in a growing field of AI driven scientific research companies. Similar efforts include startups emerging from former OpenAI and DeepMind researchers, reflecting broader interest in applying AI beyond consumer and enterprise software.

What differentiates Periodic Labs is its focus on fully autonomous laboratories that generate new physical data, rather than relying solely on existing datasets. This approach aims to overcome data limitations in materials science by creating new experimental results at scale.

Also Read: Physical Intelligence: Building Foundation Models for Robots to Interact with the Real World

Industry Outlook for AI Driven Materials Science

Investor interest in AI powered scientific infrastructure continues to grow, driven by the potential for breakthroughs in energy, electronics, and healthcare. Applying artificial intelligence to physical sciences remains challenging, but successful results could reshape how research is conducted.

With substantial funding, experienced leadership, and a clear focus on automation, Periodic Labs is positioned to become a key player in AI driven materials discovery. However, meaningful commercial impact will depend on the company’s ability to translate experimental success into practical applications.

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