OpenAI could reach $500 billion valuation in new stock deal for staff

OpenAI is exploring a multi-billion-dollar secondary stock sale that could increase its valuation to nearly $500 billion, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

Last Friday, the AI giant, led by Sam Altman, was said to have secured over $8 billion in its latest funding round, boosting its valuation to $300 billion. The company plans to raise a total of $40 billion this year.

The potential stock sale is a way for OpenAI to reward both current and former employees and retain top talent. As noted in the report, existing investors, including Thrive Capital, have expressed interest in purchasing employee shares.

The consideration comes as OpenAI faces talent retention challenges. The company has recently lost several research staff members to Meta, which has been actively recruiting top talent with compensation packages in the nine-figure range.

Earlier this year, OpenAI initiated the development of a social network to rival Elon Musk’s X by integrating ChatGPT capabilities, positioning itself in competitive alignment with Meta.

OpenAI is in talks with Microsoft over its future as a for-profit company, a process that could shape its potential path toward an IPO. As its largest investor, Microsoft holds approval power over the restructuring.