OpenAI Seeks $30 Billion at $1.4 Trillion Valuation

OpenAI is reportedly seeking to raise at least $30 billion from investors in a new funding round after postponing plans for an initial public offering, according to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The ChatGPT maker is targeting a valuation of about $1.4 trillion before the new investment is included. That would represent a substantial increase from the $1.2 trillion valuation OpenAI was previously considering and would put the AI startup above rival Anthropic’s latest private-market valuation.

The fundraising talks remain at an early stage and could still change. Strong investor demand is reportedly helping drive the proposed round as OpenAI seeks additional capital to expand its artificial intelligence business.

OpenAI and Anthropic are competing aggressively for enterprise AI customers while preparing for eventual Wall Street listings. Both companies have reportedly submitted confidential IPO paperwork, with Anthropic potentially pursuing a public listing as early as this fall.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said the company would not proceed with an IPO this year as it focuses on artificial intelligence safety concerns. Altman described the current environment as an “ill-advised moment” for an OpenAI public offering.

The proposed $30 billion-plus financing would effectively serve as a bridge round, giving OpenAI access to fresh capital without immediately entering public markets. OpenAI last raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation, including the new funding.

The potential financing comes as OpenAI faces heightened scrutiny over AI safety and cybersecurity risks. The company said Tuesday that it would not release its latest model, GPT-6.1 Astra, after the system failed to satisfy internal safety standards.

Altman has also supported a proposal from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to slow development of the most advanced AI systems and introduce independent evaluators to assess safety risks.

If completed at the reported valuation, the latest OpenAI funding round would mark another major increase in the company’s value as investor interest in leading artificial intelligence developers remains strong.