SoftBank invests $500M in OpenAI’s $6.5B round
The SoftBank Vision Fund is investing a significant $500 million in OpenAI, part of a broader $6.5 billion funding package that values the AI giant at $150 billion It features SoftBank’s first OpenAI fund changes in the structure of the Japanese group, which favored AI but so far The round, which had not raised much money in generative AI startups, Thrive Capital backing more than $1 billion, and other participants who Leading the way are Microsoft, Tiger Global, and Nvidia.
The investment comes at a critical time for OpenAI which saw the departure of several executives, including chief technology officer Mira Murati. Despite these internal changes, investor confidence remains strong due to the rapidly growing demand for AI technologies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The deal highlights SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s renewed interest in AI, after mixed results in previous projects.
This funding will support OpenAI’s continued growth in AI, which is seen as one of the most transformative industries today. Joining a for-profit organization to restructure the company also positions it to attract more capital and partnerships. With SoftBank’s support, OpenAI is poised to further its impact in AI and technology, reaffirming the market’s strong confidence in the potential of AI technologies for empowerment.
