SoftBank Prepares $500 Million Investment in OpenAI Amid Major Funding Round
SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund is reportedly preparing a $500 million investment in OpenAI, according to sources cited by *The Information*. This funding will be part of a larger $6.5 billion round, with a valuation of $150 billion for OpenAI. Thrive Capital is expected to lead the round, with participation from Microsoft Corp., OpenAI’s largest investor. Both SoftBank and OpenAI have declined to comment on the deal.
This significant round comes at a pivotal moment for OpenAI, which has seen leadership changes, including the recent departure of Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati. The AI giant is also considering a transition into a for-profit entity, a move that would grant CEO Sam Altman a 7% equity stake for the first time. OpenAI remains committed to its mission, despite the potential restructuring.
Meanwhile, SoftBank’s Vision Fund has previously invested in AI startup Perplexity AI, a competitor of OpenAI. This new investment solidifies OpenAI’s status as one of the world’s most valuable startups, further cementing its dominance in the AI sector amid a growing interest in artificial intelligence technologies globally.
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