OpenAI Hits $500B Valuation After $6.6B Secondary Share Sale

OpenAI has cemented its position as the world's most valuable private startup, reaching a staggering $500 billion valuation following a $6.6 billion secondary share sale. The transaction, backed by heavyweight investors including SoftBank, Thrive Capital, and Abu Dhabi's MGX, underscores growing confidence in the AI pioneer's dominance despite fierce competition from tech giants like Meta and Google.

The deal allows current and former employees to liquidate portions of their equity while maintaining significant skin in the game—only two-thirds of the offered $10.3 billion in shares were sold. This selective participation suggests insiders anticipate substantial upside as OpenAI projects $13 billion in 2025 revenue and 700 million ChatGPT users.

A strategic $100 billion partnership with Nvidia provides the computational firepower to accelerate next-generation AI development, further distancing OpenAI from rivals. The valuation now eclipses SpaceX's $456 billion, marking a watershed moment for artificial intelligence's commercial viability.