The Twenty Minute VC (20VC) · Thursday, October 1, 2026
AI startup Instinct has secured $1 billion in funding at a $10 billion valuation, signaling strong investor confidence in its agent-based AI assistant. Benchmark led the investment round, highlighting a significant bet on the company's approach to personal AI. This valuation comes despite the company being pre-revenue, underscoring the market's current focus on potential and paradigm shifts in AI.
“And I got to hand it to you. No, when we're embracing this thing, we're fucking embracing it. It's 10 billion pre, pre-revenue, big ass check.”
“My partners, Peter and Ev, led it and we were all extremely excited about it.”
“And I got to hand it to you. You know, when we're embracing this thing, we're fucking embracing it. It's 10 billion pre, pre-revenue, big ass check. No mincy little steps here. It's all in on day one.”