Departing Google exec Jeff Dean has been in talks for a $10 billion valuation for his new AI startup

Jeff Dean spent 27 years helping build Google. Now, investors could be betting $1 billion that he can build the next big thing in AI outside it.

The legendary Google engineer has been in discussions for $1 billion in financing at a valuation of around $10 billion for his new AI startup, Discovery Loop, people familiar with the matter told Business Insider.

Discovery Loop has been one of the most talked-about startups in Silicon Valley over the past week, after Dean, regarded at Google as a legend, announced his departure.

Details of the round could change. A representative for Dean declined to comment.

While he has not publicly shared fundraising details, Dean has been open about the goal of the startup, Discovery Loop, describing it on X as a public benefit corporation “whose mission is to automate machine learning, science, and engineering to accelerate discoveries and progress.”

The company hopes to tackle some of science and engineering’s…