OpenAI has marked a monumental milestone: a valuation of $500 billion, following a secondary share sale in which current and former employees sold about $6.6 billion worth of equity.
Previously pegged at $300B, the jump reflects intense investor zeal and rising confidence in AI’s long-term value.
The share purchasers included heavyweights—Thrive Capital, SoftBank, Dragoneer, MGX, and T. Rowe Price—among others. OpenAI had authorized over $10B in equity sales; only a portion was executed, with about two-thirds transacted.
A considerable number of employees abstained from selling, perhaps reflecting faith in the company’s long-term trajectory.
In the first half of 2025, OpenAI brought in ~$4.3 billion in revenue—16% higher than all of 2024. Despite heavy spending (including ~$2.5B burn), OpenAI held ~$17.5B in cash and securities.
As AI continues to dominate tech narratives, OpenAI’s position is now more pivotal than ever. But with valuations at these heights, the margin for error narrows. Analysts warn of speculative excess if execution does not match expectations.
Looking ahead, investors will closely watch how OpenAI scales infrastructure, monetizes advanced AI products, optimizes costs, and maintains talent advantage.
