I left Meta to launch an AI startup. Now I'm offering up to $2 million to poach its researchers.

In a bold move to attract top-tier AI researchers, Shawn Shen, the 28-year-old co-founder and CEO of Memories.ai, is offering compensation packages of up to $2 million. This initiative follows Shen's departure from Meta, where he gained valuable insights during his tenure as a research scientist. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, Shen joined Meta, only to launch his own startup late last year. With a recently secured $8 million seed funding round backed by Samsung and other investors, Memories.ai aims to develop AI technology that can interpret and remember visual data. The competitive landscape for AI talent has intensified, largely fueled by Meta's substantial compensation packages, sometimes reaching nine figures. This aggressive recruiting strategy has led to internal tensions and notable staff departures from Meta, as many seek opportunities in startups like Shen's. Memories.ai not only seeks to hire AI experts from major tech firms such as Google and Microsoft, but it has also appointed former Meta research scientist Chi-Hao Wu as its chief AI officer. Shen emphasized that his startup is looking for exceptional candidates in the niche field of video data understanding, offering them the option for a higher equity stake over cash in their compensation, thereby preserving the company’s financial runway. Looking ahead, Shen plans to expand his team by hiring three to five researchers in the next six months, with an additional five to ten within a year. He remains optimistic about securing further funding, citing the eagerness of capital markets to invest in companies that can attract top talent. Reflecting on his experiences at Meta, Shen noted the constant reorganizations and shifting goals, which can lead to frustration among researchers. He believes that many are motivated to leave the company in search of more stable and fulfilling opportunities in the startup environment. Shen also revealed that he has already onboarded Eddy Wu, a former manager at Meta, who is receiving a competitive salary aligned with the offers being extended to new hires. As he continues to build Memories.ai, Shen aspires to create a company that not only innovates but also reshapes the AI landscape, echoing the sentiment that in a rapidly evolving industry, taking risks is essential for transformative success.