Who Is Vijaye Raji and Why Did OpenAI Acquire Statsig for $1.1B?

Vijaye Raji, born in Puducherry, India, developed a passion for coding at age 12 despite limited resources. Today, he is in the spotlight as OpenAI acquires his startup, Statsig, for $1.1 billion. Following the deal, Raji will join OpenAI as CTO of Applications. Here’s a closer look at his journey and what this acquisition means.

Why Vijaye Raji Is Making Headlines with OpenAI’s $1.1 Billion Acquisition

Q1: Why is Vijaye Raji in the news?

Vijaye Raji, the Seattle-based Indian-origin tech entrepreneur, is making global headlines after Open AI acquired his startup, Statsig, for $1.1 billion in an all-stocks deal. As part of the agreement, Raji will join OpenAI as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications, reporting directly to Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications at OpenAI. This move marks a significant milestone in the AI and tech industry, highlighting Raji’s growing influence in product experimentation and software engineering.

Q2: Who is Vijaye Raji?

Vijaye Raji is the founder of Statsig, a widely recognized platform for product testing and experimentation. Known for his engineering expertise and entrepreneurial vision, Raji has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. His career spans leadership roles at global tech giants Microsoft and Meta (Facebook), where he built and scaled complex consumer and enterprise products. His journey reflects a blend of deep technical knowledge and strategic business insight, positioning him as a key figure in AI-driven product development.

Q3: What is Statsig, and why is it significant?

Statsig is a platform designed to help businesses test, measure, and optimize their products effectively. OpenAI has described it as “one of the most trusted experimentation platforms in the industry.” With Statsig’s technology, companies can make data-driven product decisions, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. Even after the acquisition, Statsig will continue operating independently, while its employees transition to OpenAI, ensuring continuity for its existing customers.

Q4: What is Vijaye Raji’s professional background?

• Education: Raji holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Pondicherry University (1999).

• Microsoft: He spent nearly a decade working on Windows Application Framework, SQL Server Modeling Language/Runtime, and Visual Studio Editor, gaining experience in large-scale software engineering.

• Facebook/Meta: Joining in 2011, Raji rose from Software Engineer to VP, Head of Gaming, Head of Facebook Seattle, and ultimately VP and Head of Entertainment, leading major consumer product initiatives.

Q5: What does Vijaye Raji say about joining OpenAI?

Raji shared his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“Joining OpenAI as CTO of Applications is an extraordinary opportunity to bring my experience scaling consumer and enterprise products to a mission I deeply believe in: advancing AI in ways that are capable of solving hard problems, reliable, and truly beneficial to people everywhere.”

He emphasized that his journey with Statsig has been “deeply gratifying” and reaffirmed his commitment to helping teams ship better software every day.

Q6: What does this acquisition mean for OpenAI?

The acquisition strengthens OpenAI’s product experimentation and testing capabilities, enhancing both its consumer-facing and enterprise AI offerings. With Vijaye Raji as CTO of Applications, OpenAI gains a seasoned leader experienced in scaling products globally, building reliable technology platforms, and guiding innovation in AI-powered applications. This deal underlines OpenAI’s ambition to expand its AI ecosystem with proven engineering and entrepreneurial expertise.

.@Statsig is joining @OpenAI.

Over the past 4.5 years, we’ve built something special at Statsig: a platform that the world's best technology companies rely on to build fast and make smart decisions. We’re going to join forces with OpenAI to vastly expand our mission, while… https://t.co/cfy0eDjHRi

— Vijaye Raji (@vijayeraji) September 2, 2025

What Vijaye Raji’s Role Means for the Future of OpenAI

With the acquisition of Statsig and the appointment of Vijaye Raji as CTO of Applications, OpenAI is set to strengthen its AI product development and experimentation capabilities. Raji’s experience in scaling global tech products and leading innovative teams positions OpenAI to accelerate the creation of reliable, consumer-focused, and enterprise-ready AI solutions. This milestone highlights OpenAI’s commitment to combining cutting-edge AI technology with proven engineering leadership, promising a new era of impactful and data-driven AI applications.