OpenAI plans to raise $30 billion at a valuation of $1.25 trillion, with the United Arab Emirates as the lead investor.
OpenAI is nearing completion of a funding round of up to 30 billion USD, with a valuation set at 125 billion USD, jointly led by UAE investors and Coatue.
On October 22, according to CNBC citing sources, this funding round is led by UAE investors, with Coatue co-leading. The quoted valuation is pre-money, not including the newly raised funds from this round.
The report pointed out that OpenAI informed investors on Thursday that the target is to complete the fundraising by the end of next weekend, and the final raised amount is still being determined.
According to sources, as the funding proceeds, OpenAI is also simultaneously negotiating a supporting commercial agreement aiming to obtain additional computing power supply from the UAE. This arrangement is expected to provide OpenAI with substantial infrastructure support beyond the capital, further expanding the operating scale of its AI business.
This fundraising is positioned as an “opportunistic” transitional plan ahead of a potential IPO. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar previously told staff that OpenAI's IPO window is expected in 2027.
For investors, this fundraising offers an opportunity to lock in leading AI assets ahead of the public market, and gives OpenAI a financial buffer for transitioning to an IPO.
This fundraising comes at a time of turbulence in the technology market. On Thursday, most major US tech stocks fell, with the Wind US Tech Seven Giants Index dropping 2.80%. Meta fell nearly 7%, Amazon and Nvidia dropped more than 4%, Tesla and Google declined more than 3%.
