Chamath Palihapitiya's AI coding startup, 8090, has raised $135 million in a Series A funding round led by Salesforce Ventures, Palihapitiya announced Monday. The founder, known for his venture capital firm Social Capital and the All-In podcast, also revealed he will assume the role of CEO.
The investment underscores sustained venture capital appetite for AI-powered coding tools, a sector that has seen a flurry of funding rounds amid demand for developer productivity gains. 8090 enters a competitive field dominated by established players like GitHub Copilot and emerging startups.
The $135 million Series A, backed by Salesforce Ventures, marks one of the larger early-stage rounds in the AI coding space. The funding amount was disclosed by Palihapitiya in his announcement, though the valuation was not specified in available reports.
Palihapitiya's move to lead the company as CEO signals his deep commitment to 8090's vision, shifting from investor to operator. The capital injection will likely accelerate product development and hiring as the startup seeks to differentiate itself in a crowded market.
"I'm thrilled to lead 8090 as CEO," Palihapitiya said in the announcement, according to TechCrunch. The pivot highlights how seasoned investors are increasingly stepping into operational roles at their portfolio startups.