Exclusive: Former OpenAI exec @bobmcgrewai has quietly built $1.5 billion startup, betting AI can revive U.S. manufacturing McGrew’s newest company, Arda, has raised $230 million at a $1.5 billion valuation and makes AI software he says can help bring manufacturing back onshore. Sat down with Bob and Altimeter’s @apoorv03, who led the latest round. Full @CNBC interview here with more on OpenAI, building AGI, AI safety and how the startup’s ambition to disrupt manufacturing: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/20/ex-openai-executive-builds-1point5-billion-ai-manufacturing-startup-arda.html