Neolab – Definition & Meaning

Definition of neolab

: a research-first AI startup organized around an ambitious, long-term technical program, often founded by experienced researchers from a leading laboratory and financed heavily before it has a mature product or substantial revenue
- The investors described the startup as a neolab because it raised a large research budget before announcing a commercial product.
- Unlike an application company built around an existing model, the neolab planned to develop new model architectures and training methods.

Two meanings, one word

In everyday English

A newly formed or newly organized laboratory.

In AI

A research-first AI startup organized around an ambitious, long-term technical program, often founded by experienced researchers from a leading laboratory and financed…

Origin & history

first known use2025

The term was circulating in AI venture discussion by late 2025. In 2026, investors and policy researchers used neolab for a growing cohort of researcher-led companies pursuing frontier-scale or domain-specific AI breakthroughs, often with substantial early funding and no established product or revenue.

Test yourself

Which of these is the meaning of neolab?

Related terms

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Cite this entry

"Neolab." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/neolab/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.