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OpenAI acquired Multi, formerly Remotion, on June 24, 2024. Multi was a video-first collaboration tool for distributed teams, especially developers. The deal was reported as an acqui-hire: most of its roughly five-person team joined OpenAI, while Multi’s service was scheduled to shut down on July 24, 2024. It did not become a publicly available ChatGPT collaboration feature.
What OpenAI bought
Multi was a startup focused on “multiplayer collaboration”—working together inside shared computer workflows rather than simply talking over a video call. Its founders were Alexander Embiricos, a former Dropbox product manager, and Charley Ho, a former Google software engineer.
Contemporary reporting described Multi as a remote-team platform that used Zoom-based video calling alongside a collaborative software layer. Reported features included:
- Up to 10 people sharing screens simultaneously
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Automatic deep links to code, designs, and documents
- Real-time collaboration around software and other computer-based work
That makes “Zoom competitor” an incomplete description. Multi’s main distinction was not merely video conferencing; it was the interaction around a shared desktop, application, or development task. TechCrunch’s acquisition report described it as a platform for remote teams, while Multi’s site positioned the product around building software together.
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- ENGAGING HYBRID COLLABORATION - NOW IN 4K. The Meeting Owl 4+ is an all-in-one video conferencing device that captures 360° video in 4K and 360° audio up to 18’ (5.5m). Automatically focuses on whoever is speaking to foster active collaboration and increased participation while showing a 360° view of the room.
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The acquisition was primarily an acqui-hire
A source familiar with the transaction told TechCrunch that the deal was technically an acqui-hire. In that type of transaction, the buyer’s main objective is often to bring in a team’s product, engineering, or design expertise rather than continue operating the acquired company as a standalone business.
That distinction matters here. OpenAI acquired Multi, but the public-facing service did not continue under OpenAI. Most of the approximately five-person team was expected to join OpenAI, according to contemporary reporting. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
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- ✈【Smart 360° Omnidirectional microphone】The Conference speakerphone adopts a hands-free microphone and hands-free speaker design,to speak and be heard simultaneously, 360° omnidirectional mics can pick up sound with 20ft, connected via USB, Bluetooth5.0, Dongle,no drivers need, the conference microphone built-in 8000mAh battery, 17 hours work times,the LED indicator can identify the direction of the speaker and display the battery level, suitable for a larger meeting room of 60 square meters
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Multi had reportedly raised about $13 million from investors including Greylock and First Round Capital. That figure came from Crunchbase data cited by TechCrunch; it is the company’s reported funding total, not the value of OpenAI’s purchase.
What happened to Multi?
Multi announced that its service would shut down on July 24, 2024, one month after the acquisition announcement. Users therefore were not being offered a continuing OpenAI-operated version of the product.
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- HEAR WHAT IT HEARS - A built-in headphone jack lets you monitor the microphone live, so you can check your sound before the meeting starts instead of finding out afterwards
- ONE SETUP FOR EVERY ROOM - Compact enough to carry between rooms or pack in a laptop bag, and simple enough that every classroom, office and home desk can run the same mic the same way
There is no reliable basis in the available material for claiming that Multi accounts transferred into ChatGPT, that OpenAI still operates Multi, or that the app became an OpenAI video-meeting product. The available sources also do not establish a complete policy for data export, retention, or deletion, so those details should not be assumed.
Why might OpenAI have wanted the team?
OpenAI did not publish a detailed roadmap naming a Multi successor or explaining a specific integration. Still, the deal was strategically interesting for several reasons:
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- Expansion Microphones: Extends the audio range of Logitech Group video and audio conferencing from 20 ft. to 28 ft. This is the expansion microphones only, does not include Logitech Group HD Video and Audio Conferencing System for Big Meeting Rooms
- Clear sound for larger groups and meeting rooms: Two mics expand the conversation to 20 people (from 14 with the speakerphone alone)
- 8 ft. microphone cables: Long enough to run the length of most conference tables, even if routed through grommets
- Easy to connect: Simple plug-and-play connection to the Logitech Group speakerphone
- Mute button: Easily mute the entire speakerphone system from the far end of the table
- Enterprise workflows: Multi was designed around how professional teams actually work, which fits OpenAI’s broader push into business software.
- Developer experience: Its founders had experience building products for software professionals and creating polished collaborative interfaces.
- Context-aware computing: Shared screens, applications, documents, and code provide context that is relevant to future AI-assisted work.
- Human-computer interaction: Multi explored how people could act together inside software, rather than treating video as the entire collaboration experience.
Contemporary coverage connected the deal to OpenAI’s enterprise expansion, including its acquisition of database technology company Rockset. That is a reported strategic interpretation, not a publicly confirmed statement that OpenAI bought Multi to build a particular ChatGPT feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the deal did not announce
The acquisition did not establish that OpenAI would:
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- An advanced triple-camera system The advanced triple-camera system achieves a 151° ultra-wide field of view, enabling capture of all attendees in Focus Rooms. At the same time, it provides high-definition portrait close-ups, capturing every detail of interaction and enhancing the meeting viewing experience for remote participants.
- High-quality audio pickup experience The Yealink MeetingBar A25 features a 5-meter voice pickup range, integrating a high-quality loudspeaker, 3-meter full-duplex technology, and an 8x MEMS microphone array, which delivers exceptional sound playback and voice pickup performance. Its built-in intelligent noise reduction technology ensures a superior audio experience for meetings.
- Compatible with Microsoft's MDEP Yealink MeetingBar A25 is compatible with Microsoft's MDEP, which enhances security and deployment experiences. This integration provides users with a more secure environment and streamlined deployment processes, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.
- Simple deployment Yealink MeetingBar A25 features a direct connection to CTP25, enabling a simplified login process. Only need to log in once. This streamlined login experience saves users time and enhances convenience.
- Multi-Platform Flexibility Yealink MeetingBar A25 supports native Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, etc. In addition, it also supports BYOD*. In BYOD mode, MeetingBar A25 can serve as video and audio peripherals for your computer in meetings via thirdparty applications.
- Launch video conferencing inside ChatGPT
- Offer multiplayer screen sharing as an OpenAI subscription feature
- Replace Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams
- Release a direct successor to Multi
Future use of Multi’s ideas, people, or technology would require a separate OpenAI announcement. Later deals involving other companies may show broader interest in computer interfaces or work environments, but they do not prove that Multi’s product was incorporated into those offerings.
What former Multi users can use instead
Because Multi is no longer an active service, the practical choice is to match an alternative to the part of Multi a team valued most. These are alternatives to the use case, not official OpenAI successors.
| Primary need | Potential fit | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Persistent team communication and searchable context | Slack | Strong for messaging, integrations, huddles, and administration, but less centered on multiplayer shared-screen software work. |
| Meetings, screen sharing, and unified workplace communications | Zoom Workplace | Broader and more mature than Multi, but may be more than a small team needs and is not a direct replacement for Multi’s developer-focused layer. |
| Pair programming and code-centric collaboration | Developer-focused collaborative coding tools | Better suited to shared coding than general-purpose meetings, but may lack team chat, document context, or wider workplace features. |
Slack’s pricing page displayed a free plan and paid tiers when checked on August 18, 2026, including Pro at $8.75 per user per month billed monthly or $7.25 billed annually. Zoom’s page listed Basic, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers; Basic meetings were capped at 40 minutes and 100 participants, while Pro meetings were listed at up to 30 hours and 100 participants. Prices and plan terms can change, so verify the live pages before purchasing.
The bottom line
OpenAI’s purchase of Multi was real, but it was not the launch of a new OpenAI remote-work app. The clearest public account is an acqui-hire: OpenAI brought in a small team that had built an inventive collaboration interface, and Multi’s standalone service was retired. The lasting significance is the potential value of collaborative, context-rich work interfaces—not access to Multi through ChatGPT.
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