OpenAI is reportedly nearing the completion of a significant round of private investment, opting for this approach instead of pursuing an initial public offering (IPO). The AI organization is aiming to raise up to $30 billion, with a pre-money valuation set at $1.25 trillion, led by Coatue and various investors from the UAE, according to insider sources.
This development follows an earlier report from Bloomberg indicating that OpenAI was seeking a similar amount of funding at a valuation of $1.4 trillion. Negotiations are ongoing, as both reports suggest the terms may evolve. CNBC also mentioned that the funding from the UAE might be linked to an agreement for additional computing resources for OpenAI. The company has chosen not to provide any comments on the matter.
If OpenAI secures a valuation exceeding $1 trillion in this funding round, it would set a new record as the highest valued private firm to date. This would further increase expectations for OpenAI’s anticipated IPO. In June, OpenAI submitted confidential documents for an IPO, following its last funding round in March, which placed the company’s post-money valuation at $852 billion.
Such a high valuation could also impact the upcoming IPO of Anthropic, a company believed to be on the cusp of going public. There are rumors suggesting that Anthropic may file its public S-1 document shortly. Recent reports indicate that Anthropic is looking for a valuation between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion for its public launch. In May, the company raised $65 billion at a valuation of $965 billion, which many considered its final major funding round before going public. Like OpenAI, Anthropic also submitted confidential paperwork in June.
