OpenAI is in discussions to raise at least $30 billion in a pre-IPO funding round, which would value the company at around $1.4 trillion. Bloomberg reported this news on September 29, 2026.
As OpenAI gears up for its anticipated public market debut, investor interest is increasing. Following a competitive start to the year with Anthropic, OpenAI’s recent focus on key areas, particularly coding, has led to a striking 70% increase in its run-rate revenue since July, reaching $40 billion in August.
Earlier this year, OpenAI raised $122 billion in March, which valued the company at $852 billion during that funding round. This previous round was expected to be the last private financing before an IPO, anticipated for 2026. However, CEO Sam Altman has now ruled out a public debut this year, stressing the importance of prioritizing AI safety.
In a recent statement to Fortune, Altman voiced his concerns about the risks associated with AI, stating, “I think it is unacceptable to be taking like a 10% chance of killing everybody by the end of the decade.” This highlights ongoing discussions among safety researchers regarding the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence.
If successful, this new funding round will act as a bridge to the IPO, according to Bloomberg. OpenAI did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment regarding this funding round.
