Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that OpenAI is negotiating with investors to raise at least $30 billion in a pre‑IPO funding round at an approximate $1.4 trillion valuation.
According to the report, investors are keen to commit capital to the maker of ChatGPT ahead of its expected public market debut next year. While Anthropic briefly outpaced OpenAI earlier this year, the company’s recent strategic refocus on areas such as coding has coincided with a rapid revenue increase: run‑rate revenue rose 70% since July and reached $40 billion in August, Bloomberg says.
Previously, the company reportedly raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation; that round was described as the last private raise before an IPO. The public listing timeline has since shifted: CEO Sam Altman has ruled out an IPO in 2026, saying the company will prioritize AI safety first.
Speaking to Fortune, Altman said, “I think it is unacceptable to be taking like a 10% chance of killing everybody by the end of the decade,” commenting on warnings from safety researchers about existential risks from AI.
Bloomberg characterizes the new fundraising, if completed, as a bridge round to an eventual IPO. OpenAI did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
Why this matters
- A $30 billion pre‑IPO raise at a $1.4 trillion valuation would further cement OpenAI’s market position and raise expectations ahead of a public offering.
- The company’s rapid run‑rate revenue growth and strategic focus shifts suggest it is scaling products and revenue streams before going public.
- Altman’s emphasis on AI safety could affect the timing of an IPO and draw additional regulatory scrutiny.
Details such as the investors involved, the timing of a close, and the exact structure of the financing remain under negotiation, according to Bloomberg.
