OpenAI completes $40 billion in financing, setting the largest financing record for private technology companies

PANews reported on April 1 that according to CNBC, OpenAI announced on Monday that it had completed a $40 billion financing, setting a record for the highest financing of private technology companies. After this round of financing, the company's valuation reached $300 billion (including new capital injection). Japan's SoftBank became the leading investor in this round with US$30 billion, with existing investors such as Microsoft, Coatue, Altimeter and Thrive jointly investing $10 billion. This round of financing has made OpenAI's valuation third among the world's unlisted companies, second only to SpaceX (US$350 billion) and the same as TikTok's parent company ByteDance.

OpenAI said in its official blog that the new fund will be used to "break through the boundaries of AI research" and expand its computing power infrastructure. People familiar with the matter revealed to CNBC that about $18 billion will be invested in the "Star Gate" project jointly jointly with OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle - a joint venture project announced by former US President Trump in January 2025. The first period of $10 billion in funds will be in place immediately, and the remaining $30 billion is expected to be completed before the end of 2025. However, the financing agreement comes with special terms: If OpenAI fails to complete the for-profit structure restructuring by December 31, 2025, the financing amount may be reduced by as much as US$10 billion. This clause has exacerbated the company's transformation pressure, and the plan needs to be approved by Microsoft and the California Attorney General.