ByteDance Alumnus Raises $30 Million to Build Rival World Models Platform

Keyu Tian, a former ByteDance intern, has secured $30 million in funding at a $200 million valuation to build an unnamed stealth startup developing world models—AI systems that simulate physical environments for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and video generation. The round was led by 5Y Capital and IDG Capital, putting the venture into direct competition with Fei-Fei Li's well-funded World Labs.