OpenAI is close to completing a $40 billion funding round.

According to informed sources, OpenAI is nearing completion of a $40 billion (6 trillion yen) funding round led by SoftBank Group, with investors including Magnetar Capital, Coatue Management, Founders Fund, and Altimeter Capital Management currently in negotiations to participate.

The logo of OpenAI. Photo: REUTERS/VNA

According to multiple sources, all of whom requested anonymity because the information is private, Magnetar Capital, a hedge fund based in Evanston, Illinois, may contribute up to $1 billion.

This artificial intelligence (AI) developer's funding round will be the largest ever, according to data compiled by research firm PitchBook. The deal is expected to value the company at $300 billion (including the funds raised), nearly double the previous valuation of $157 billion for ChatGPT maker in its October 2024 funding round.

As part of the agreement, SoftBank will invest approximately $7.5 billion in the first tranche of the company, along with $2.5 billion from a joint venture of investors. A second round of funding worth $30 billion will take place at the end of 2025, with $22.5 billion from SoftBank and $7.5 billion from the aforementioned joint venture.

SoftBank shares fell as much as 4.7% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company's credit default swap (CDS) also rose, partly due to concerns about the impact of this massive investment on the conglomerate's financial situation.

SoftBank declined to comment. The Japanese conglomerate has also separately committed billions of dollars to Project Stargate, a joint venture based in Abilene, Texas, with partners including OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX.

Representatives from OpenAI, Magnetar, and Founders Fund declined to comment on the funding round. Coatue and Altimeter did not respond to requests for comment.

This funding round demonstrates investors' enthusiasm for a company that is growing at an extraordinary pace, in parallel with the global spread of AI.

OpenAI projects its revenue to more than triple in 2025, reaching $12.7 billion, thanks to the power of its paid artificial intelligence software.

This San Francisco-based company generated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2024. OpenAI expects sales to continue growing rapidly, more than doubling next year to $29.4 billion.

However, OpenAI is also facing significant costs for processing chips, data centers, and the talent needed to develop advanced AI. The company does not expect to have positive cash flow until 2029, the year it projects revenue will surpass $125 billion.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/openai-sap-hoan-tat-vong-huy-dong-von-40-ty-usd-20250328112339171.htm