Axiom, a math AI startup founded by Carina Hong in March, has garnered significant interest by solving two longstanding Erdos math problems. The company recently announced a successful seed funding round, raising $64 million in September. With a current workforce of 17, Axiom has attracted talent from prestigious organizations such as Meta and Google Brain.
Among Axiom’s notable hires is Ken Ono, a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia and a leading figure in mathematics. Hong, who cites Ono as a mentor and an inspiration, believes that the challenge of mathematical superintelligence is crucial in drawing top researchers to Axiom. Ono, who has an unconventional academic journey, left high school early but later made significant contributions to number theory and mentorship in mathematics.
Ono, despite receiving more lucrative offers from larger firms, emphasizes that his motivation for joining Axiom is rooted in intellectual curiosity rather than financial incentives. His decision reflects a growing trend among top mathematicians who are eager to engage with challenging problems in a startup environment.