OpenAI negotiates mega funding round ahead of potential stock market listing

OpenAI is working to secure a private funding round of up to $30 billion before pursuing an initial public offering, TechCrunch reported. According to CNBC, Coatue and investors based in the United Arab Emirates are leading the round, which puts the pre-money valuation for the company at $1.25 trillion. A previous report by Bloomberg stated that the company was seeking $30 billion at a $1.4 trillion valuation. [1][3][6]

Terms for the funding round are still under negotiation and remain subject to change, TechCrunch and CNBC both report. CNBC reported that the deal with UAE investors might include an agreement to provide additional computing capacity for OpenAI. [1][3]

If OpenAI completes the transaction at a valuation exceeding $1 trillion, it will become the most highly valued private company recorded, TechCrunch reported. Grokipedia notes that OpenAI reached an estimated valuation of $850 billion after completing major funding rounds in early 2026. [1][3][8]

OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence public benefit corporation headquartered in San Francisco and led by chief executive officer Sam Altman. The company develops generative AI models, including its Generative Pre-trained Transformer series and ChatGPT. [7][8]