OpenAI reported to target at least $30B in new funding at about $1.4T value
- Raised
- $30B
- Valuation
- $1.4T
- Place in VP50
- #2
- Sources
- 2
What happened
Bloomberg reported on September 29, 2026, that OpenAI aimed to raise at least $30 billion from investors in a new funding round at a value of about $1.4 trillion. TechCrunch covered the report the same day, putting the valuation at roughly $1.4 trillion and saying it had not independently confirmed the talks. OpenAI did not respond to TechCrunch's request for comment, and no investors were named.
According to TechCrunch, Bloomberg said the new fundraising, if it took place, would serve as a bridge round to an initial public offering. TechCrunch said OpenAI's listing had until recently been expected this year, and that CEO Sam Altman had ruled out a public debut in 2026; investors were eager to fund the company ahead of a debut anticipated next year. In March, OpenAI raised $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation, a round that was meant to be its last private raise before an IPO. TechCrunch also reported that run-rate revenue rose 70% since July to reach $40 billion in August. The final size, valuation, timing and investors of the new round were not confirmed.
Key points
Why it matters
A reported $1.4 trillion valuation is about 64% above the $852 billion set in March. It remains a figure from unnamed sources, not a closed price.
TechCrunch described the round as a bridge to an IPO after Altman ruled out a 2026 debut. With no public market for the shares this year, private rounds remain the reference price for OpenAI equity.
The reported $40 billion run-rate in August puts the $1.4 trillion valuation at about 35 times that figure. It is a reported number, not one OpenAI confirmed in these sources.
In context
| Round | Date | Post-money valuation | Raised | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding round | Oct 2, 2024 | $157B | $6.6B | Thrive Capital |
| Funding round | Mar 31, 2025 | $300B | $40B | SoftBank |
| Funding round | Feb 27, 2026 | $852B | $122B | a16z, D. E. Shaw Ventures, MGX, SoftBank, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and TPG |
Updated
Fact-check
- OpenAI aimed to raise at least $30 billion in a new funding round, reported September 29, 2026Confirmed by [1] TechCrunch, which cites Bloomberg's September 29 report, and by the headline of [2] Bloomberg (body returned 403).Verified
- The reported valuation is about $1.4 trillionConfirmed by [1] TechCrunch and the headline of [2] Bloomberg; neither readable text states whether it is pre- or post-money.Verified
- The round would serve as a bridge to an IPO; Altman ruled out a 2026 debutConfirmed by [1] TechCrunch, which attributes the bridge description to Bloomberg.Verified
- OpenAI raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuationConfirmed by [1] TechCrunch, which gives both figures for the March round.Verified
- Run-rate revenue rose 70% since July to $40 billion in AugustStated by [1] TechCrunch, attributed to the report; presented in the post as reported, not company-confirmed.Verified
Sources
- [1]TechCrunch (opens in a new tab)OpenAI reportedly in talks to raise $30B round at $1.4T valuationThe company previously raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation.
- [2]Bloomberg (opens in a new tab)OpenAI Targets $30 Billion in Funding at $1.4 Trillion Value
