Story perspectives

OpenAI seeks $30B pre-IPO funding at $1.4T valuation

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 10:48 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

OpenAI is seeking to raise at least $30 billion in a pre-IPO funding round.
The round targets a valuation of roughly $1.4 trillion, excluding the new capital.
CEO Sam Altman says an IPO this year would be unwise and stresses AI safety.
Investors note a 70% revenue jump to $40 billion in August, supporting a public debut.

History

Historical Context

Google’s 2004 IPO on August 19 turned its $100 k seed (1998) and $25 M venture round (1999) into a $23 billion market cap, raising $1.67 billion and cementing a dual-class share model that protected founder control. Decades later, OpenAI’s 2024 $30 billion fundraising push, led by CEO Sam Altman and backed by Microsoft, mirrors that precedent while regulators scrutinize AI-centric governance.

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Story summary

OpenAI is seeking to raise at least $30 billion in a pre-IPO funding round.
The round targets a valuation of roughly $1.4 trillion, excluding the new capital.
CEO Sam Altman says an IPO this year would be unwise and stresses AI safety.
Investors note a 70% revenue jump to $40 billion in August, supporting a public debut.

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