Instinct AI Raises $1 Billion in Series C Funding

Instinct, an AI assistant startup founded by Noah Shinn, has raised $1 billion in Series C funding, increasing its valuation from $2.5 billion to $10 billion. This funding round was backed by notable investors including Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital, and Coatue.

Instinct launched its invite-only service in August 2026, and since then, it has positioned itself as a competitor to Meta's Muse AI assistant, which has already garnered millions of downloads. Noah Shinn stated, "We’re building Instinct to be the best personal agent that can handle the deeply personal nuances of everyday life. This funding helps us bring Instinct to more people and continue building the future of personal AI."

The significant increase in valuation reflects growing investor confidence in personal AI technologies, particularly as companies like Meta continue to expand their offerings. This funding will enable Instinct to enhance its services and reach a broader audience, potentially impacting the competitive landscape for personal AI assistants.