The OpenAI IPO is shaping up to be a historic financial event, with the AI powerhouse laying the groundwork for a public offering that could value the company at up to £800 billion (approximately $1 trillion). This potential valuation would establish the ChatGPT maker as one of the most valuable companies to ever debut on public markets, reflecting the extraordinary growth of artificial intelligence technology.
Initially targeting a filing with securities regulators by the second half of 2026 and a listing in 2027, the news of OpenAI’s IPO has sparked intense interest across financial markets. According to preliminary discussions, the company will seek to raise at least $60 billion from the offering, making it potentially the largest IPO in world history. The ambitious OpenAI IPO price considerations come as the company projects an annualised revenue run rate of approximately $20 billion by year-end, despite mounting losses. Furthermore, an IPO would provide the organisation with enhanced capital-raising capabilities and enable larger acquisitions using public stock, consequently supporting CEO Sam Altman’s expansive AI development agenda.
OpenAI Targets £800bn IPO Valuation by 2027
OpenAI has entered advanced planning stages for an initial public offering that could establish the AI pioneer as one of the world’s most valuable companies. Sources close to the matter reveal the company is targeting a valuation of approximately £800 billion by 2027, signalling extraordinary confidence in the future of artificial intelligence technologies and OpenAI’s market position.
Company Explores Listing Early as Late 2026
Confidential discussions indicate OpenAI is contemplating filing necessary documentation with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026. While Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has reportedly communicated to associates that the company aims for a 2027 listing, several financial advisers believe the process might accelerate, potentially resulting in a public debut by late 2026.
Currently, the company is engaged in preliminary talks about raising a minimum of £60 billion (approximately AUD 91.74 billion) through the offering, though this figure could increase substantially based on market conditions and business growth between now and the potential OpenAI IPO date. The timeline remains flexible, with specific plans subject to revision as OpenAI continues its rapid expansion.
Largest IPO in Tech History
Should OpenAI achieve its targeted valuation, the listing would shatter existing records for technology companies going public. Notably, the largest technology IPO to date was that of Alibaba Group, which raised approximately $ 26 billion (AUD 39.75 billion) in 2014. In contrast, OpenAI’s projected fundraising target exceeds this amount more than twofold.
The overall record for IPO fundraising belongs to Saudi Aramco, which generated approximately £25 billion (AUD 39.14 billion) in December 2019. OpenAI’s anticipated offering would significantly surpass this benchmark, potentially establishing a new standard for public market debuts across all sectors.
OpenAI Responds to Speculations
When questioned about these preparations, an OpenAI spokesperson offered a measured response: “An IPO is not our focus, so we could not possibly have set a date. We are building a durable business and advancing our mission so everyone benefits from AGI”.
However, during a recent livestream, CEO Sam Altman adopted a more forthcoming stance regarding the company’s public market ambitions, stating: “I think it’s fair to say it is the most likely path for us, given the capital needs that we’ll have”. This acknowledgment suggests that, while specific timelines remain fluid, the fundamental decision to pursue public market financing has been largely established within OpenAI’s strategic roadmap.
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OpenAI Completes Restructuring to Enable Public Listing
OpenAI has completed a comprehensive corporate restructuring, paving the way for its potential initial public offering (IPO) on the public market. In late October 2025, the AI leader announced the finalisation of its recapitalisation, establishing a more straightforward path for the anticipated OpenAI IPO.
The Nonprofit Retains a 26% Stake in OpenAI Group
Under the new structure, the nonprofit arm—now renamed the OpenAI Foundation—holds a 26% equity stake in the for-profit business, valued at approximately AUD 198.77 billion. Additionally, the Foundation holds a warrant that enables it to receive substantial additional equity if OpenAI Group’s share price increases more than tenfold within 15 years. This structure positions the Foundation to become “the single largest long-term beneficiary of OpenAI’s success”.
Current and former employees, along with other investors, collectively maintain 47% ownership of the company. The restructured entity operates as a public benefit corporation (PBC) called OpenAI Group PBC, which, unlike conventional corporations, is required to balance financial returns with broader public interests.
Balancing Mission and Profit
Even with a minority ownership stake, the OpenAI Foundation retains decisive control over the for-profit business. The Foundation’s board has been granted “special voting and governance rights” allowing it to appoint all members of the OpenAI Group’s board of directors. Moreover, nearly all Foundation directors simultaneously serve on the for-profit board, creating unified governance.
This arrangement represents a calculated compromise between maintaining OpenAI’s original mission and enabling commercial growth necessary for an OpenAI IPO. As Sam Altman has affirmed in recent statements, a public offering represents “the most likely path forward” given the company’s substantial capital requirements.
Microsoft’s Role Reduced After $13bn Investment
Microsoft, which has invested approximately AUD 21.10 billion in OpenAI, has seen its proportional ownership decrease from 32.5% to 27% following the restructuring. Despite this reduction, Microsoft maintains significant influence with its investment now valued at around AUD 206.41 billion.
The new agreement modifies several aspects of the partnership. Microsoft no longer holds first-refusal rights as OpenAI’s compute provider, although OpenAI has committed to purchasing an additional AUD 382.25 billion in Azure services. Furthermore, Microsoft now has the freedom to independently pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI), either alone or with other partners.
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OpenAI Seeks Capital to Fund AI Infrastructure Ambitions
Behind OpenAI’s potential public listing lies a financial imperative of unprecedented scale. The AI giant requires substantial capital to support its ambitious infrastructure plans, exceeding what private funding alone can provide.
Altman’s Trillion-Dollar AI Vision
First and foremost, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has initiated discussions with investors, including UAE government officials, for raising between AUD 7.64 trillion and AUD 10.70 trillion to reshape the global semiconductor industry. This staggering figure would exceed the current chip market, which recorded AUD 805.78 billion in sales last year. Currently, OpenAI plans to invest AUD 2.14 trillion in building 30 gigawatts of computing capacity, with AUD 611.60 billion already allocated to the Stargate project.
IPO Enables Stock Deals
To put it simply, the OpenAI IPO would allow the business to use its shares as purchase money. The firm has already demonstrated this strategy with an AUD 9.94 billion all-stock deal, preserving cash for critical compute infrastructure. Financial projections reveal OpenAI will burn through AUD 175.83 billion by 2029, making stock-based transactions increasingly vital.
Public Markets Fuel Growth
Above all, public markets represent the most viable path for securing OpenAI’s ambitious roadmap. The company generated AUD 6.57 billion in revenue during the first half of 2025, while incurring a loss of AUD 3.82 billion. Analysts predict that the company won’t achieve positive cash flow until it reaches AUD 191.12 billion in annual revenue by 2029. As OpenAI’s CFO, Sarah Friar, noted, the recent restructuring created an “IPO-able event”, setting the stage for what Nvidia’s CEO called “one of the most successful public offerings in history”.
AI Market Boom Fuels Investor Interest in OpenAI IPO
The AI sector’s extraordinary market performance in 2025 creates a fertile environment for the OpenAI IPO. Investor appetite for AI companies has reached unprecedented levels, setting the stage for what could be one of the most extensive public offerings in history.
Nvidia Hits $5 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Rally
Nvidia made history as the first company to achieve a market valuation of AUD 7.64 trillion, surpassing the combined GDP of several major economies. This milestone occurred merely three months after breaking the AUD 6.12 trillion barrier. Since ChatGPT’s debut in 2022, Nvidia’s shares have increased by an astonishing 12-fold, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the global AI industry. Likewise, the company recently announced AUD 764.50 billion in chip orders, further validating the mainstream adoption of AI.
CoreWeave IPO Triples in Value Post-Listing
Equally impressive, AI cloud company CoreWeave went public at AUD 35.17 billion and has since approximately tripled in value. The company’s revenue, which increased by 737% to AUD 2.91 billion in 2024, demonstrates its impressive growth. From an IPO price of AUD 61.16 to over AUD 252.28, CoreWeave’s stock registered a 250% increase within just three months, underscoring strong investor confidence in AI infrastructure providers.
OpenAI’s £20bn Revenue Run Rate Attracts Major Backers
Regarding OpenAI IPO news, the company reached AUD 1.53 billion in monthly revenue in July 2025, doubling from AUD 764.50 million at the start of the year. With AUD 18.35 billion in annual recurring revenue, OpenAI is projected to reach approximately AUD 22 billion by the end of the year. This extraordinary trajectory—representing a 3,628x increase since 2020—has attracted approximately AUD 88.53 billion across 11 funding rounds, including SoftBank’s AUD 45.87 billion commitment.
Conclusion – OpenAI IPO
OpenAI’s path toward an £800 billion IPO certainly marks a watershed moment for both the company and the AI industry. Throughout its journey, OpenAI has demonstrated remarkable growth, achieving a revenue run rate of approximately £20 billion – an extraordinary leap from its humble beginnings. The recently completed corporate restructuring furthermore establishes a clear framework that balances the organisation’s original mission with its commercial ambitions.
Financial markets have undoubtedly signalled a strong appetite for AI investments, as evidenced by Nvidia’s historic £5 trillion valuation and CoreWeave’s post-IPO success. This favourable environment, coupled with OpenAI’s dominant position in generative AI, creates optimal conditions for what might become the most extensive public offering ever recorded.
The coming years will ultimately determine whether OpenAI can achieve its targeted valuation. Nevertheless, one thing remains certain – the company’s potential public debut represents not just a financial milestone but also a defining moment for artificial intelligence as it transitions from experimental technology to mainstream economic force. The ripple effects will likely reshape investment patterns, computing infrastructure, and technological development for decades to come.
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What is the projected valuation for OpenAI’s potential IPO?
OpenAI is reportedly targeting a valuation of approximately £800 billion (about $1 trillion) for its potential initial public offering, which could make it one of the most valuable companies to ever debut on public markets.
When is OpenAI planning to go public?
While specific plans remain flexible, OpenAI is exploring the possibility of filing with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026, with a potential listing in 2027. However, the timeline could accelerate depending on market conditions and business growth.
How has the AI market boom affected investor interest in OpenAI?
The AI sector’s extraordinary market performance, exemplified by Nvidia reaching a $5 trillion valuation and the success of AI company IPOs like CoreWeave, has created a strong investor appetite for AI companies. This favourable environment, combined with OpenAI’s rapid revenue growth, is fueling significant interest in its potential IPO.