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OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) research company behind the popular ChatGPT model, is set to conduct a secondary share sale valued at an impressive $500 billion. This represents a substantial increase from its previous valuation of $300 billion earlier in 2025.
The secondary share sale, which is still in preliminary talks, aims to provide liquidity options for current and former employees. This move is intended to reward and retain top talent in the face of competitive pressures from tech giants like Meta.
Unlike the primary funding round led by SoftBank, which raised about $40 billion but valued the company at $300 billion, the higher valuation in the secondary sale is partly due to allocation constraints in the earlier funding, creating strong investor demand for these shares despite the premium.
Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, remains a key stakeholder in the company. As OpenAI moves towards becoming a for-profit entity and potential corporate restructuring, Microsoft has approval rights that could influence future stock liquidity events, including an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
The secondary share sale could have several potential impacts on OpenAI's valuation. It signals confidence in OpenAI's growth potential, placing it among major tech giants with a $500 billion price tag. The new approach to employee equity monetization addresses typical startup liquidity challenges without relying solely on an IPO. Employee liquidity benefits could also aid in talent retention, countering competitive recruitment offers.
However, concerns about valuation sustainability and retention risks remain, particularly as the company develops advanced AI technologies like GPT-5 and negotiates strategic partnerships.
The remaining portion of the funding round for OpenAI has already been subscribed at a $300 billion valuation. OpenAI is expected to reach $20 billion by the end of the year, with its flagship product, ChatGPT, helping to double the company's revenue in the first seven months of 2025.
Thrive Capital, an existing OpenAI investor, is said to be in discussions to participate in the potential employee share sale. The shift in OpenAI's corporate structure could lay the groundwork for a future public listing.
Other major technology companies, such as Meta, ByteDance, Databricks, and Ramp, are also competing for AI talent. Notably, Meta is reportedly investing billions in Scale AI to recruit its CEO, Alexandr Wang, for a new super intelligence division.
In summary, OpenAI's secondary share sale is progressing with strong investor interest at an implied valuation of $500 billion, signaling significant market confidence and providing liquidity for employees while shaping the company’s broader corporate and financial strategy.
- The secondary share sale, fueled by strong interest from investors, positions OpenAI as a significant player in the tech industry, worth an impressive $500 billion, which also includes investments in advanced artificial-intelligence technologies like GPT-5.
- As OpenAI moves towards becoming a for-profit entity, the secondary share sale provides an alternative to traditional Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) for providing liquidity to employees, boosting technology-related business and investing opportunities in the company.