OpenAI gets $1.5B funding from SoftBank in a latest deal

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I must say that this latest development with OpenAI is nothing short of fascinating. Having closely followed the growth trajectory of numerous AI start-ups, I can confidently assert that OpenAI’s meteoric rise is a testament to their groundbreaking work in the field.


OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence startup known for creating ChatGPT, has secured approximately $1.5 billion in funding from Japanese conglomerate SoftBank. This latest investment round permits OpenAI’s staff members to offload their company shares.

According to a recent CNBC report, this arrangement allows current and former employees of OpenAI the opportunity to sell their shares. This offering will be available until December 24, 2024, providing ample time for employees to decide whether they wish to participate in this deal or not.

SoftBank’s CEO, Masayoshi Son (a billionaire), has been persistently aiming for a larger share in this startup. This follows his previous investment of $500 million during the last funding round, which he led.

Currently, OpenAI stands as the most prominent entity within the AI sector, having received backing from numerous investors such as Microsoft, which contributed over $13 billion in total. Notably, the company recently secured a fresh funding round of $6.6 billion in October, with leadership provided by Thrive Capital, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and additional investors.

Across the globe, OpenAI is gaining ground in the areas of prediction and popularity. It’s managed to draw in an impressive 250 million users on a weekly basis.

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2024-11-28 16:39