OpenAI is in early, investor-initiated talks about a funding round that would value it above about $1.2 trillion ahead of a later IPO, up from roughly $852 billion after its March raise. Distinct from Altman’s no-2026-IPO line already covered.
OpenAI is holding early talks with investors about a fresh funding round that would value the ChatGPT maker at more than $1.2 trillion ahead of an initial public offering, Bloomberg reported. The Wall Street Journal separately reported preliminary investor discussions about a new raise at more than $1.2 trillion.
The talks were initiated by investors, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Any decision to proceed will hinge on when OpenAI decides to go public, that person said. The Journal noted OpenAI was valued at about $852 billion in March after completing a $122 billion financing. Neither Bloomberg nor the Journal reported a closed round size, lead investor, or final price.
This financing story sits beside, and does not rewrite, AI Tech Daily’s existing brief that OpenAI will not IPO in 2026, based on Sam Altman’s Fortune comments citing safety and alignment work. Bloomberg syndication reported that additional private capital, if taken, could give OpenAI flexibility to push a listing further by one or two quarters and support more mergers and acquisitions. The Financial Times also reported on the talks, saying a raise could let longtime backers add exposure ahead of an IPO. Round size and timing remain undecided.
This brief covers early, attributed talks as reported by Bloomberg and the Journal. It does not treat a $1.2 trillion-plus round as closed or priced.