OpenAI will reportedly close its SoftBank-led $40B round soon

While you’re busy using ChatGPT’s new image-generation features to Ghibli-fy your photos, OpenAI is out making a ton of money. The company is nearing completion of a new $40 billion funding round headed by SoftBank, Bloomberg reported. Other funds, such as the hedge fund Magnetar Capital, Coatue Management, Founders Fund, and Altimeter Capital Management, are also in talks with OpenAI to join the round, according to the report. Magnetar may contribute $1 billion. According to Bloomberg, an investor syndicate will contribute an additional $2.05 billion after SoftBank’s initial $7.05 billion investment. A second tranche, in which the Japanese conglomerate will invest an additional $22.5 billion and another $7.5 billion will be syndicated, is anticipated this year, the report added. In October 2024, OpenAI raised $6.66 billion at a $157 billion valuation in a round led by Thrive Capital. The company will reach a huge $300 billion valuation thanks to the new mega-round, according to the most recent report from Bloomberg.