Report: OpenAI close to completing funding of up to $30 billion, led by UAE investors, at a valuation of $1.25 trillion

According to people familiar with the matter, OpenAI is close to finalizing a funding round at a pre-money valuation of $1.25 trillion, with the raise size reaching up to $30 billion. The sources said the round is co-led by an Emirati investor and Coatue. The financing is positioned as a bridge round ahead of a potential IPO. The people said OpenAI plans to raise up to $30 billion, with the $1.25 trillion representing the pre-money valuation and excluding the new capital raised in this round. OpenAI told investors on Thursday that it aims to have all parties sign agreements by next weekend, though the final total size of the round remains undetermined. The people said the financing is "opportunistic" bridge capital intended to pave the way for a subsequent IPO. The company has told internal staff that OpenAI will most likely go public in 2027. Separately, sources said that beyond the equity investment, OpenAI is in talks with the UAE on a commercial agreement, hoping to secure more computing resources to support the expansion of its AI business.