Musk Allies Back Ex-DOGE Staffers Trying to Use AI to Cut Waste

Two former staffers from the Department of Government Efficiency have unveiled a new venture to buy companies and cut waste by implementing artificial intelligence, applying DOGE’s cost-cutting project to the private sector.

The business, called Special, said Tuesday that it raised funding from multiple allies of Elon Musk, including Valor Equity Partners founder Antonio Gracias, former xAI Chief Financial Officer Anthony Armstrong and Steve Davis, who served as Musk’s de facto second-in-command at DOGE. Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz led an undisclosed investment in the firm.

Run by Nate Cavanaugh and Justin Fox, Special seeks to integrate companies ...