OpenAI eyes $300 billion valuation with potential SoftBank investment
Jan 31, 2025 - businessinsider.com
SoftBank is in discussions to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, potentially valuing the AI company at $300 billion, which would make it the joint-second most valuable tech firm globally alongside ByteDance, after SpaceX. This investment could see OpenAI nearly double its current valuation of $157 billion and surpass Microsoft as its lead investor. The funding round might enable OpenAI to allocate $15 billion to the Stargate AI infrastructure project, a joint venture with SoftBank aiming to spend up to $500 billion on AI infrastructure in the US over the next four years.
The Stargate project, announced at the White House by President Donald Trump, will be chaired by SoftBank's founder and CEO, Masayoshi Son. Initial equity funders include Oracle and the UAE's MGX. The project plans to deploy $100 billion immediately, although the source of capital remains unclear as OpenAI is currently lossmaking. This investment aligns with Son's vision of advancing "artificial super intelligence," and further solidifies the relationship between SoftBank and OpenAI.
Key takeaways:
SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, potentially valuing the company at $300 billion.
The investment could make OpenAI the joint-second most valuable tech company globally, alongside ByteDance and after SpaceX.
OpenAI plans to invest $15 billion into the Stargate AI infrastructure project as part of the funding round.
SoftBank's investment would make it OpenAI's lead investor, surpassing Microsoft's $13 billion investment.
