Windsurf’s CEO is headed to Google DeepMind
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Windsurf’s CEO is headed to Google DeepMind — not to OpenAI
Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan and others will join Google’s DeepMind team. The move is part of Google’s continued investment “in its advanced capabilities for developers” Windsurf’s potential to roll up to OpenAI, a direct competitor to Microsoft’s Copilot, had been sharpening tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft. Microsoft is OpenAI’s biggest investor.
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Windsurf’s CEO and several key researchers at the AI coding assistant startup are headed to Google.
In a statement to Business Insider, a Google spokesperson confirmed that Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan and others from the startup would be joining its DeepMind team as part of the company’s continued investment “in its advanced capabilities for developers.”
“We’re excited to welcome some top AI coding talent from Windsurf’s team to Google DeepMind to advance our work in agentic coding,” Google’s spokesperson said. “We’re excited to continue bringing the benefits of Gemini to software developers everywhere.”
Mohan and Windsurf cofounder Douglas Chen said in a statement to BI that the pair are “excited to be joining Google DeepMind along with some of the Windsurf team.”
“We are proud of what Windsurf has built over the last four years and are excited to see it move forward with their world-class team and kick-start the next phase,” Mohan and Chen’s statement continued.
On Friday, The Verge first reported that Windsurf’s tentative $3 billion deal with OpenAI was off the table.
Business Insider previously reported that Windsurf’s potential to roll up to OpenAI, a direct competitor to Microsoft’s Copilot, had been sharpening tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft. Microsoft is OpenAI’s biggest investor.
Representatives for OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
OpenAI’s Windsurf Deal Falls Apart as CEO Joins Google — Major Tech Shakeup!
OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf is canceled; Google hires WindsurF’s CEO and team for DeepMind, focusing on agentic coding and Gemini. Google will not gain ownership of WindSurf, but it will secure a non-exclusive license for some of its technology. The move highlights a strategic shift in AI development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing global technology. Will other companies follow suit in prioritizing talent over ownership?
www.theverge.com
In a significant turn of events in the tech landscape, OpenAI’s deal to acquire Windsurf has fallen through. Instead, Google has opted to hire key personnel from Windsurf, including CEO Varun Mohan and co-founder Douglas Chen, to bolster its DeepMind division.
6 Key Takeaways OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf is canceled.
Google hires Windsurf’s CEO and co-founder.
Team focuses on agentic coding at DeepMind.
Windsurf retains no control from Google.
Jeff Wang becomes interim CEO of Windsurf.
Google did not disclose hiring costs.
This strategic move, announced on 2025-07-12 01:22:00, will see Mohan and select R&D employees focusing on agentic coding efforts, primarily working on Google’s Gemini project. Although Google will not gain ownership of Windsurf, it will secure a non-exclusive license for some of its technology.
Fast Answer: Google’s acquisition of Windsurf talent highlights a strategic shift in AI development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing global technology.
This development raises questions about the future of AI collaboration. Will this shift in talent influence the competitive landscape of AI technologies? The integration of Windsurf’s expertise into Google DeepMind could reshape the industry.
Enhanced AI capabilities may emerge from this collaboration.
Google’s focus on agentic coding could lead to groundbreaking innovations.
The shift underscores the importance of talent mobility in tech.
Global tech companies may rethink acquisition strategies in favor of talent hiring.
This development signifies a pivotal moment in global technology, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships over traditional acquisitions.
As the tech world watches closely, this move could set a precedent for future collaborations. Will other companies follow suit in prioritizing talent over ownership?