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August 12, 2026

Index in talks to lead $500m round for DeepMind researcher’s new AI lab

Six other DeepMind alumni have joined the company


Jack Parker Holder. Credit: YouTube

Jack Parker-Holder, a Google DeepMind researcher who led the company’s world models development, is targeting a $500m fundraise for a new London neolab, Sifted has learned. Six other DeepMind researchers are involved with the startup. 

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Maya Dharampal-Hornby

Maya Dharampal-Hornby is a reporter, covering UK tech for Sifted, based in London. She's also the producer of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast .

Freya Pratty

Freya Pratty is Sifted's associate editor. She covers UK tech and leads Sifted's investigations. Follow her on X , LinkedIn and Bluesky

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