OpenAI has acquired the team behind Crossing Minds, a startup that specialises in AI recommendation tools for online shopping platforms. Known for helping brands like Chanel and Udacity improve personalisation without compromising customer privacy, the Crossing Minds team has now joined OpenAI to contribute to its broader AI goals. The founders said they were motivated by the opportunity to support OpenAI’s mission of making artificial general intelligence beneficial for all humanity.
Founded with backing from Index Ventures, Radical Ventures, and Shopify, Crossing Minds raised over $13.5 million before deciding to stop taking on new clients. The startup made a name for itself by analysing customers’ behaviour on e-commerce websites to offer tailored product suggestions. Unlike many recommendation engines, its approach avoided collecting personally identifiable data, which made it appealing to companies with strong privacy commitments.
The transition to OpenAI comes at a time when major tech companies are building AI-powered shopping tools. Google and Perplexity have introduced features that enhance product discovery, while OpenAI itself has updated ChatGPT to include shopping suggestions, images, and reviews. With the expertise from Crossing Minds, OpenAI is likely looking to strengthen its recommendation features and consumer-facing applications.
One of the co-founders, Alexandre Robicquet, has updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect his new role in OpenAI’s research team, focusing on post-training and agent development. Although it remains unclear if the entire team is moving over, their website confirms that Crossing Minds will no longer take on new projects, signalling a full transition into OpenAI’s ecosystem.
This development highlights the ongoing trend of AI consolidation, where startups with niche expertise are absorbed by larger players. As AI systems become more interactive and embedded in everyday tools, talent and technology from companies like Crossing Minds could shape how future AI agents learn about user preferences and deliver more personalised results.
