According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI is in talks for a new round of funding with a target valuation of over $100 billion. This company, renowned for developing the ChatGPT chatbot, has garnered significant attention from global tech giants and investors in recent years, becoming a leader in the artificial intelligence sector.
Insiders reveal that this round of financing will be led by Thrive Capital, owned by Josh Kushner, with plans to invest $1 billion. Additionally, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Apple may also become major investors in this round of financing. If these tech giants join, it will provide OpenAI with more substantial financial support and further solidify its leadership position in the AI market.
On the secondary market, OpenAI's valuation has already surpassed $100 billion. Some investors are participating in the company by purchasing shares from existing shareholders rather than directly from the company, indicating their willingness to engage at a higher valuation. Data from secondary market trading tracking platforms like Rainmaker Securities and calight show that the bidding price for OpenAI shares has reached a valuation of $143 billion, while the company's current valuation, based on past funding rounds, is estimated to be over $111 billion.
Glenn Anderson, co-founder and managing partner of Rainmaker Securities, stated: "Many investors really want to be part of this story, to become investors in this company. Is a $100 billion valuation high enough? Perhaps. But if OpenAI can realize its potential, it could be a very good deal."
Despite the rapid escalation of OpenAI's valuation, its revenue is also growing quickly. Reports indicate that the company's annual recurring revenue (ARR) is expected to reach $2 billion by the end of this year. This demonstrates OpenAI's strong earning potential in the global market and further fuels investor enthusiasm.
Greg Martin, another co-founder and managing director of Rainmaker Securities, added: "While it is very difficult to properly value OpenAI, we see a lot of demand. People are afraid of missing out on the opportunity to be part of this company, which has led to a strong demand for its shares in the market."
As OpenAI continues to attract significant attention from investors and tech giants, its valuation is expected to continue to rise. Market observers believe that OpenAI's future development prospects could far exceed its current valuation and potentially become the next trillion-dollar tech giant.