OpenAI reportedly in talks to raise $30B round at $1.4T valuation

OpenAI is reportedly in discussions with investors to raise at least $30 billion in a pre-IPO funding round at a valuation of approximately $1.4 trillion, according to Bloomberg. This move comes as the company prepares for a public debut that has been delayed from its original 2026 timeline.

Revenue Growth and Strategic Focus

Investors are eager to back the ChatGPT maker ahead of its anticipated IPO, driven by strong financial performance. Reports indicate that OpenAI's run-rate revenue increased by 70% since July, reaching $40 billion in August. This growth is attributed to a strategic refocus on key areas such as coding, which helped the company regain momentum after Anthropic briefly outpaced it earlier in the year.

IPO Delay and Safety Concerns

The new fundraising is expected to serve as a bridge round to the IPO. Previously, OpenAI raised $852 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation, a round intended to be its last private raise before going public. However, CEO Sam Altman has ruled out a 2026 public debut, citing a need to prioritize AI safety. In an interview with Fortune, Altman stated, "I think it is unacceptable to be taking like a 10% chance of killing everybody by the end of the decade," responding to warnings from safety researchers about existential risks posed by AI.