OpenAI reportedly in talks to close a new funding round at $100B+ valuation

ChatGPT creator OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise a massive tranche of cash led by previous backer Thrive Capital, at a valuation of more than $100 billion. That’s substantially higher than OpenAI’s previous $86 billion valuation, and by far the highest valuation of any AI startup to date.

Thrive will reportedly throw in around $1 billion for its part. Microsoft is also expected to participate, according to the WSJ, which has the story. It’s unclear would join the round. Khosla Ventures, Infosys and Y Combinator are among OpenAI’s other existing backers.

The financing is poised to serve as OpenAI’s biggest outside infusion of capital since January 2023, when Microsoft invested nearly $10 billion.

OpenAI needs the money. The WSJ says its annualized revenue eclipsed $3.4 billion early this year. The Information says OpenAI is on track to lose nearly $5 billion by year end, however, and that it has already burned through $8.5 billion on AI training and staffing.