BUSINESS

Eileen Gu Denies Joining VC Firm Benchmark After AI-Generated Image Goes Viral

Published: Feb. 15, 2026 12:38 a.m. GMT+8

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Eileen Gu. Photo: VCG

Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu has denied online rumors that she is joining U.S. venture capital firm Benchmark, quashing speculation that rippled through tech and social-media circles.

“Not true,” Gu wrote Saturday in Milan in response to a social-media post claiming she would join the Silicon Valley firm. The two-time Olympian is in Italy preparing for the Milan Winter Olympics.

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Eileen Gu denied rumors of joining venture capital firm Benchmark, calling the claim “not true” after an AI-generated post circulated online.
Benchmark partner Bill Gurley clarified his previous joking comment, confirming Gu is not joining the firm.
Gu remains focused on the Milan Winter Olympics, competing for China and earning over $20 million annually through endorsements and modeling.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Benchmark: Benchmark is a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm. It is known for its early investments in companies such as eBay and Uber. Recently, Benchmark backed AI assistant company Manus with a $75 million investment, which Meta Platforms Inc. later acquired for an estimated $2 billion.

eBay Inc.: eBay Inc. is one of the companies that prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Benchmark made early investments in. This detail is mentioned in the context of describing Benchmark's investment history, highlighting its success in backing companies that went on to become significant players.

Uber Technologies Inc.: Uber Technologies Inc. is a company that Benchmark, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm, made early investments in. The article does not provide further details about Uber Technologies Inc. itself, but highlights Benchmark's track record of successful early-stage investments.

Manus: Manus is an AI assistant company. Benchmark, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm, backed Manus with a $75 million investment. Manus was recently acquired by Meta Platforms Inc. at a reported valuation of $2 billion.

Meta Platforms Inc.: Meta Platforms Inc. recently acquired AI assistant company Manus, which Benchmark had backed with a $75 million investment. The acquisition of Manus was reportedly valued at $2 billion.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

2026-02-07：: Eileen Gu won a silver medal in freestyle slopestyle at the Milan Winter Olympics.

2026-02-13：: A rumor surfaced on social-media platform X claiming Eileen Gu would join Benchmark as a senior investment manager after the Olympics, with an AI-generated image circulating online.

2026-02-14：: Eileen Gu publicly denied the rumor in Milan via social media. The original social media post was deleted following her denial. Bill Gurley apologized on X, clarifying his previous comment was a joke and that the claim was untrue.