SoftBank Group, under founder Masayoshi Son, has successfully completed a significant $40 billion investment in OpenAI, acquiring a 10% ownership stake at a $260 billion pre-money valuation. This transaction, involving a final payment of roughly $22 billion, is one of the most substantial single investments in AI to date.
The investment was facilitated by SoftBankâs strategic exit from a $5.8 billion Nvidia position, marking a clear shift from hardware to foundational AI software platforms. This capital infusion will enhance OpenAI’s capabilities in large-scale compute, data center expansion, and initiatives like Stargate, while positioning the company for a possible IPO.
This deal highlights a critical transition in the AI market, moving from speculative spending to substantial, infrastructure-focused investments. With heightened global competition among AI leaders like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic, this funding represents a major step towards strengthening OpenAIâs market position.
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