OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has submitted documents to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it considers a possible public offering in 2026, Bloomberg reports. This move places OpenAI into the ongoing competition among AI-focused companies seeking public investment, alongside firms such as Anthropic and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
According to the company, no final decision has been made on the exact timing of an IPO, since there are still steps that are easier to take while remaining a private company. After its most recent funding round of $122 billion, OpenAI’s valuation is currently estimated at $852 billion.
Why this matters
A public listing would be a significant milestone for OpenAI’s growth and financing strategy: going public could open additional capital sources while also increasing regulatory and public scrutiny.
Timing is also a competitive factor. The report notes that SpaceX could beat OpenAI to the markets: Elon Musk’s rocket maker and AI-involved company is scheduled to go public this Thursday, and the offering could raise SpaceX’s valuation to as much as $1.8 trillion. If that happens, SpaceX would become the most valuable company in history, and Elon Musk the world’s first billio—a status noted in the report.
The potential public debuts of OpenAI and other major AI companies represent key moments for investors and markets, as these firms play central roles in the global race to develop and deploy artificial intelligence.
Brief recap
OpenAI’s filing with the SEC signals that the company may pursue a 2026 IPO. Its current estimated valuation is $852 billion following the latest $122 billion funding round, while SpaceX’s imminent listing could give it a timing advantage and a valuation projection of up to $1.8 trillion.
