OpenAI weighs new funding round at a valuation above $1.2T, Bloomberg and FT report
- Valuation
- $1.2T
- Place in VP50
- #2
- Sources
- 3
- Claims verified
- 0 of 5
What happened
Bloomberg reported on September 15, 2026 that OpenAI was weighing a new funding round at a valuation of more than $1.2 trillion. Reuters carried a report the same day, attributed to the Financial Times, that OpenAI was mulling a round at $1.2 trillion ahead of an IPO. CNBC reported on September 16 that investors had approached OpenAI about a new round, that they had floated a $1.2 trillion valuation, and that some had positioned the round as a way for employees to sell stock. CNBC's account rests on unnamed people who asked not to be identified to discuss nonpublic information.
A person familiar with the talks told Bloomberg that any decision to move forward would hinge on exactly when OpenAI decides to go public, and that the talks were initiated by investors. The portions of the reports available for this post gave no round size, no named investors, no terms and no timetable, and none of them carried a confirmation from OpenAI. The $1.2 trillion figure is a floated valuation, not a priced round. The Reuters article could not be opened, so it is cited from its headline only.
Key points
- Bloomberg reported OpenAI was weighing a funding round at a valuation of more than $1.2 trillion (September 15, 2026).1
- The talks were initiated by investors, a person familiar told Bloomberg.1
- Any decision to proceed would hinge on when OpenAI decides to go public, per the same person.1
- CNBC reported investors floated a $1.2 trillion valuation and some positioned the round as a way for employees to sell stock.2
- Reuters, citing the Financial Times, reported the round was under consideration ahead of an IPO.3
Why it matters
Investors floating a valuation above $1.2 trillion gives a reported reference point for what buyers were prepared to discuss for OpenAI stock, though no round has been priced.
CNBC reported some investors positioned the round as a route for employee share sales, a reported source of liquidity for employee holders before any listing.
Bloomberg's source tied the decision to the timing of an IPO, so the round is reported as connected to the path to a listing.
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
- Bloomberg reported on September 15, 2026 that OpenAI was weighing a funding round at a valuation of more than $1.2 trillion.Not read by the checker: the source page returned HTTP 403. Rests on the writer's read: [1] Bloomberg: its article dated September 15, 2026 is headlined as OpenAI weighing a round at over $1.2 trillion.Partly verified
- The talks were initiated by investors.Not read by the checker: the source page returned HTTP 403. Rests on the writer's read: [1] Bloomberg: a person familiar with the talks said investors initiated them; [2] CNBC reports investors approached the company.Partly verified
- Any decision to move forward depends on when OpenAI decides to go public.Not read by the checker: the source page returned HTTP 403. Rests on the writer's read: [1] Bloomberg: the person familiar said the decision will hinge on exactly when OpenAI goes public.Partly verified
- Investors floated a $1.2 trillion valuation and some positioned the round as a way for employees to sell stock.Not read by the checker: the source page returned HTTP 403. Rests on the writer's read: [2] CNBC: its September 16 report says this, citing unnamed people.Partly verified
- Reuters, citing the Financial Times, reported OpenAI was mulling a round at $1.2 trillion ahead of an IPO, and the talks were at an early stage.Reuters [3] could not be opened by the writer or the checker; the headline and the event record state the FT report, the $1.2 trillion figure and the IPO link. The early-stage description comes from the event record, not from a page read.Partly verified
Sources
- [1]Bloomberg (opens in a new tab)OpenAI Weighs Funding Round at Over $1.2 Trillion ValuationThe talks were initiated by investors, the person said.
- [2]CNBC (opens in a new tab)OpenAI investors have approached the company about a new funding roundInvestors have floated a $1.2 trillion valuation to OpenAI
- [3]Reuters (opens in a new tab)OpenAI mulls funding round at $1.2 trillion valuation ahead of IPO, FT reports
