OpenAI Plans Multi-Billion Dollar Stock Sale at $500 Billion Valuation

OpenAI is in early discussions to execute a secondary stock sale that could value the artificial intelligence company at about $500 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The planned transaction is aimed at allowing current and former employees to liquidate shares and would represent a significant jump from its previous $300 billion valuation.

The potential sale is still under negotiation and could run into the billions of dollars, according to sources who requested anonymity because the talks are private.

Existing investors including Thrive Capital have shown interest in purchasing employee shares amid rising demand for one of the world’s most valuable private technology firms.

The proposed valuation represents a two-thirds increase from OpenAI’s last financing round, a $40 billion deal led by SoftBank Group. Earlier this month, OpenAI secured $8.3 billion from a syndicate of investors in the second tranche of that round, which was oversubscribed by a factor of five.

Secondary share sales have become common among major U.S. startups as a way to reward employees, provide liquidity, and retain key talent.

For OpenAI, the move comes amid growing competition for AI experts as Meta Platforms and others have been actively hiring from rivals and offering compensation packages in the nine-figure range. A successful stock sale could help OpenAI retain top personnel.

OpenAI, led by Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, has continued to expand its product portfolio. The company recently launched open-weight AI models designed to mimic human reasoning and is preparing to release its next-generation GPT-5 model to solidify its position in the market.

ChatGPT, the company’s flagship application, is projected to reach 700 million weekly active users this week, up from 500 million at the end of March. Daily message volume has surpassed 3 billion.

In May, OpenAI announced a $6.5 billion all-stock acquisition of an AI device startup co-founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive.

Despite its momentum, OpenAI is still navigating internal structural challenges. Discussions about its long-term for-profit structure remain unresolved.

Microsoft, which has invested $13.75 billion in OpenAI, is seeking to secure its position as a strategic partner. Talks have expanded into a broader renegotiation of the companies’ relationship.

Microsoft aims to avoid disruption to its access to OpenAI’s technology, especially with the current agreement set to expire in 2030.

If completed, the secondary sale would elevate OpenAI’s standing as one of the most valuable private companies globally and affirm continued investor confidence in the future of artificial intelligence.