SoftBank Group is aggressively pursuing $22.5 billion in funding for OpenAI by year-end, driven by the rising costs in artificial intelligence (AI). The company has divested its entire $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia and approximately $4.8 billion of T-Mobile shares, reflecting CEO Masayoshi Son’s strategic focus on AI. SoftBank has slowed Vision Fund deal-making, requiring his approval for investments over $50 million. The firm is also exploring monetization of its Didi Global stake and preparing for a PayPay IPO, potentially raising over $20 billion. Additionally, SoftBank plans to utilize $6.5 billion in margin loans backed by Arm Holdings, increasing its financial flexibility. OpenAI, supported by its partnership with SoftBank, is navigating escalating operational costs and competition from tech giants like Alphabet. The company is reportedly eyeing a massive funding round up to $100 billion, aspiring for a valuation near $750 billion, with an IPO possibly occurring in 2026.
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