OpenAI reportedly seeks faster US$30 billion funding round ahead of Anthropic IPO
SoftBank Group and MGX are in talks to participate, Reuters reported, with the financing potentially valuing OpenAI at more than US$1.4 trillion.
OpenAI is seeking to accelerate a roughly US$30 billion financing round, aiming to obtain investor commitments before Anthropic’s planned mid-November stock market debut, Reuters reported, citing two people with knowledge of the matter. The deal could put OpenAI’s valuation above US$1.4 trillion.
Existing investors SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi-based MGX are discussing participation, according to Reuters. OpenAI has also met with sovereign wealth funds and long-only funds. With both AI companies approaching many of the same investors, some see the accelerated timetable as a bid to capture funding that could otherwise flow to Anthropic’s listing.
OpenAI’s March financing raised US$122 billion at a valuation of US$852 billion. That round included up to US$50 billion from Amazon.
Anthropic, meanwhile, faces investor debate over its proposed valuation. Reuters previously reported that some investors favored a debut valuation of around US$1.5 trillion, below the US$2 trillion sought by the company, after third-quarter revenue missed expectations.
OpenAI plans a listing in 2027. Reuters said the additional financing would support infrastructure commitments and bolster its finances should weaker IPO conditions postpone those plans. OpenAI and SoftBank declined Reuters’ requests for comment; Anthropic and MGX did not immediately respond.
