OpenAI seeks $30B in pre-IPO fundraising at $1.4T valuation

OpenAI is currently negotiating a significant funding round targeting at least $30 billion, which would value the AI company at approximately $1.4 trillion, according to reporting by Bloomberg.

Investor Appetite Ahead of IPO#

Backers are moving quickly to commit capital before OpenAI makes its expected transition to public markets next year. The funding appetite reflects strong confidence in the company's trajectory, particularly as it has refocused efforts on areas like code generation. Recent metrics show the company's revenue run-rate climbing 70% since mid-year, with August figures hitting $40 billion.

A Bridge to Going Public#

This would mark OpenAI's second major funding round in less than two years. The company closed a previous capital raise in March that brought in $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation—a round that was initially expected to be its final private funding before going public. If successful, the new round would serve as an interim capital bridge leading to the IPO.

Delayed Public Debut#

CEO Sam Altman has shifted timelines, publicly stating that a public offering will not happen in 2026. Instead, the company is prioritizing what leadership describes as critical work on AI safety. Altman recently emphasized this concern, telling Fortune that "I think it is unacceptable to be taking like a 10% chance of killing everybody by the end of the decade," referencing ongoing warnings from researchers about existential risks posed by advanced AI systems.