OpenAI Seeks $30B at $1.25T Valuation, Delaying IPO Plans
OpenAI is negotiating a $30 billion funding round at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation, led by Coatue and UAE investors. This move precedes a planned IPO and potentially secures additional UAE computing capacity. The valuation surpasses its previous $852 billion mark, setting a high bar for competitors like Anthropic, which is reportedly seeking a $1.5–$2 trillion valuation for its imminent public debut.
Key points
- OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is raising up to $30 billion at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation in a round led by Coatue and UAE investors.
- This private raise follows a confidential IPO filing in June 2026 and a March 2026 round that valued the company at $852 billion post-money.
- The UAE investment may include a separate agreement to expand OpenAI's computing capacity, according to CNBC sources.
- Competitor Anthropic is reportedly preparing an S-1 filing soon, targeting a $1.5 to $2 trillion valuation after raising $65 billion at $965 billion.
- If finalized, the $1.25 trillion valuation would make OpenAI the most valuable private company ever, significantly raising expectations for its future public offering.
- Terms remain under negotiation, with earlier Bloomberg reports citing a higher $1.4 trillion valuation target for the same funding amount.
OpenAI is reportedly in advanced negotiations to secure a $30 billion private funding round at a pre-money valuation of $1.25 trillion. The round, led by investment firm Coatue alongside investors from the United Arab Emirates, signals a strategic pause before the company’s planned initial public offering. Sources indicate that the UAE capital injection may be linked to a broader infrastructure deal, potentially granting OpenAI access to additional computing resources in the region.
This valuation represents a substantial increase from the $852 billion post-money valuation established in March 2026. OpenAI filed confidential IPO paperwork in June, but the new private raise suggests the company is prioritizing liquidity and scale before going public. If the terms hold, OpenAI would become the most valuable private company in history, setting a high benchmark for its eventual listing.
The move also intensifies pressure on rival Anthropic, which is reportedly preparing to file for an IPO with a target valuation between $1.5 and $2 trillion. Anthropic recently raised $65 billion at a $965 billion valuation. While earlier reports suggested OpenAI might target a $1.4 trillion valuation, current negotiations point to a slightly lower figure, though terms remain fluid. Both companies are navigating a competitive landscape where massive capital requirements for AI infrastructure are reshaping traditional funding structures.
Sources
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