SoftBank completes $40 billion OpenAI investment, securing over 10% stake in ChatGPT maker

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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SoftBank has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, finalizing one of the largest private technology investments in history. The Japanese conglomerate transferred a final $22 billion to $22.5 billion last week, giving it over 10% ownership in the ChatGPT maker at a $260 billion valuation. To fund this aggressive AI push, SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake and billions in T-Mobile shares.

SoftBank Finalizes Historic $40 Billion OpenAI Investment

SoftBank has fully funded its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, completing one of the largest private technology investments ever recorded

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. The Japanese investment giant transferred a final tranche of approximately $22 billion to $22.5 billion last week, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNBC's David Faber

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. This completes a funding commitment that began in early 2025, when SoftBank agreed to lead the massive funding round at an OpenAI $260 billion valuation

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Source: Benzinga

Source: Benzinga

Breaking Down the SoftBank OpenAI Investment Structure

The $40 billion commitment was deployed in stages over the course of the year. SoftBank had previously invested $8 billion directly and organized a $10 billion syndicate before sending the final payment

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. Sources indicated in February that the funding would be paid out over a 12 to 24 month period

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. This investment gives SoftBank a stake exceeding 10% in OpenAI, positioning the company as a major stakeholder in the ChatGPT maker

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. The pre-money valuation of $260 billion reflects OpenAI's dominant position in the artificial intelligence sector and its potential for future growth.

Source: ET

Source: ET

Fueling the Stargate Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Project

A significant portion of this capital will support Stargate, an AI infrastructure joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle

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. The Stargate project represents a critical investment in artificial intelligence and related infrastructure, addressing the massive computational needs required to train and deploy advanced AI models

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. This joint venture aligns with Masayoshi Son's strategy to build one of the largest private technology investment programs globally, with a particular focus on AI infrastructure

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Aggressive Asset Sales Enable Masayoshi Son's AI Ambitions

To finance this aggressive entry into the AI sector, SoftBank undertook a sweeping liquidity strategy involving substantial asset sales

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. The company sold its entire Nvidia stake and unloaded billions of dollars worth of T-Mobile US shares to raise the necessary capital

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. Prior reports indicated SoftBank was scrambling to raise approximately $22.5 billion by year's end, tightening investment activity across its Vision Fund portfolio and requiring Masayoshi Son's personal approval for large investments

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. The company is also exploring additional asset sales, preparing a potential PayPay IPO, and considering margin loans backed by its soaring Arm Holdings Plc stake

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Source: Korea Times

Source: Korea Times

OpenAI Expands Partnerships Beyond SoftBank

While SoftBank's investment represents the largest single commitment, OpenAI continues to attract significant capital and partnerships from other major players. This month, OpenAI received a $1 billion investment from The Walt Disney Company, alongside a groundbreaking three-year licensing agreement that will allow its Sora video model to generate brief, fan-created clips using more than 200 Disney-owned characters, settings, and worlds

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. This diversified funding approach positions OpenAI to maintain its leadership in AI development while managing the enormous costs associated with training and deploying models like ChatGPT and Sora. The combination of infrastructure investment through Stargate and content partnerships demonstrates OpenAI's strategy to address both the technical and commercial aspects of AI deployment.

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