Staff members at OpenAI considering selling $6 billion worth of stock to SoftBank and other parties, according to a source.
In a significant move, OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, is planning a secondary stock sale worth nearly $6 billion. The deal, which involves investors such as SoftBank Group, Thrive Capital, and Dragoneer Investment Group, is expected to raise the company’s valuation to approximately $500 billion[1][2][4][5].
The secondary offering would be one of the largest employee liquidity events in tech history, allowing employees to cash out shares without the need for an Initial Public Offering (IPO)[1][3][4]. The sale strengthens ties with existing investors like SoftBank, who led OpenAI’s $40 billion primary funding round earlier in the year, aimed at infrastructure and research and development[1][4].
The deal is still in its early stages, and the $6 billion figure or participants could change as discussions progress[1]. The secondary sale is strategically targeted at retaining talent amid fierce competition from rivals like Meta, by providing employees with liquidity while the company remains private[3][4].
OpenAI’s business momentum supports this valuation growth. The company has seen a significant increase in its user base, with around 700 million weekly active ChatGPT users (up from 400 million in February) and a revenue run rate that doubled to $12 billion mid-year 2025, projected to reach $20 billion by year-end[1]. This robust growth partly explains investor appetite and the striking valuation increase, positioning OpenAI as the world’s most valuable private tech company, surpassing firms like SpaceX[2].
The intense competition among artificial intelligence firms for talent is a contributing factor to OpenAI's growth. The company's focus on innovation and its commitment to advancing the field of AI have made it an attractive destination for top talent in the industry[3].
[1] Bloomberg News [2] The Verge [3] TechCrunch [4] Reuters [5] CNBC
Financing from the secondary stock sale will significantly contribute to OpenAI's technology research and development, as the funds are raised primarily by SoftBank Group and other investors. The transaction, being one of the largest tech history employee liquidity events, demonstrates OpenAI's focus on retaining talent by providing employees financial incentives without the need for an IPO.
