OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly exploring a secondary share sale that could catapult its valuation to an unprecedented $500 billion. This massive leap would represent a staggering two-thirds increase from its current $300 billion valuation, potentially making it more valuable than Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The proposed transaction involves selling shares held by current and former employees, a common practice among tech startups to reward staff and attract new investors. Existing investors, including Thrive Capital, have reportedly approached the company about purchasing these employee shares, signaling strong confidence in OpenAI’s future prospects.
This development comes amid intense competition in the AI sector, with companies like Meta aggressively recruiting talent from OpenAI and other AI firms. The share sale could serve as a retention tool, providing employees with financial incentives to remain with the company during this critical growth phase.
OpenAI’s ambitious expansion plans include venturing into hardware through its recent $6.4 billion acquisition of io, a startup founded by iPhone designer Jony Ive. The company aims to produce 100 million AI “companions” by 2027, potentially revolutionizing how consumers interact with artificial intelligence in their daily lives.
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