OpenAI to Raise $40 Billion for AI Expansion
OpenAI is raising $40 billion in a funding round led by SoftBank, pushing its valuation to $300 billion while funding future AI research and infrastructure improvements as it shifts to a for-profit model.
Published on April 1, 2025
On April 1, 2025, OpenAI announced a new funding round aimed at raising $40 billion, led by SoftBank Group, which will provide 75% of the investment. This round values the company at $300 billion, with additional contributions from Microsoft, Coatue Management, Altimeter Capital, and Thrive Capital. The announcement follows a $6.6 billion round in October that valued OpenAI at $157 billion.
The raised capital will be used to advance AI research, expand computational infrastructure, and enhance tools for the 500 million weekly ChatGPT users. In order to secure the full funding, OpenAI must transition to a for-profit model by the end of the year. The company is also collaborating on major projects, including the $500 billion Stargate initiative with SoftBank and Oracle, and is planning to release an open-weight language model in the coming months to spur developer innovation.