Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 29
OpenAI Seeks $30 Billion Pre-IPO Round at $1.4 Trillion Valuation
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 29

OpenAI Seeks $30 Billion Pre-IPO Round at $1.4 Trillion Valuation

3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 29

Summary

  • $30 billion is the minimum OpenAI is discussing in a new private funding round that Bloomberg said would value the company at about $1.4 trillion.
  • The bridge financing comes ahead of an expected IPO next year, as investors chase the ChatGPT maker after run-rate revenue jumped 70% since July to $40 billion in August.
  • That would mark a sharp step up from OpenAI's March raise, which valued the company at $852 billion and had been framed as its last private round before going public.
  • Sam Altman has since ruled out a 2026 listing, saying AI safety must come first amid warnings from researchers about existential risks from advanced AI.

Insights

Why is OpenAI seeking $30 billion privately instead of rushing to IPO at a $1.4 trillion valuation?
Can OpenAI justify a $1.4 trillion price tag with growth in coding and enterprise while delaying its IPO for safety?