SoftBank completes $40 billion OpenAI investment, securing 11% stake in ChatGPT maker
12 Sources
[1]
SoftBank has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reports
Dec 30 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group (9984.T), opens new tab has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese conglomerate and the ChatGPT maker did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. In early
[2]
Softbank has fully funded $40 billion investment in OpenAI, sources tell CNBC
Softbank has completed its $40 billion investment commitment to OpenAI, sources told CNBC's David Faber. The Japanese investment giant sent over a final $22 billion to $22.5 billion investment last week, according to the sourced familiar with the matter. Softbank had previously had syndicated $10
[3]
SoftBank lifts OpenAI stake to 11% with $41bln investment
Tokyo (AFP) - Japanese tech investor SoftBank said Wednesday that its stake in OpenAI is now around 11 percent after completing the second stage of a $41-billion investment in the maker of ChatGPT. Having made colossal profits as well as losses on previous investments, flamboyant founder Masayoshi
[4]
SoftBank reportedly finalizes OpenAI investment with $22.5B cash infusion - SiliconANGLE
SoftBank reportedly finalizes OpenAI investment with $22.5B cash infusion SoftBank Group Corp. has reportedly completed the $40 billion investment in OpenAI Group PBC that it announced in March. Sources told CNBC today that the Japanese conglomerate finalized the deal last week. It did so by
[5]
SoftBank has fully funded its $40 billion investment in OpenAI: Report - The Economic Times
SoftBank Group has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese conglomerate and the ChatGPT maker did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. In early 2025, SoftBank agreed to lead a funding
[6]
SoftBank lifts OpenAI stake to 11% with $41 billion investment
Japanese tech investor SoftBank said Wednesday that its stake in OpenAI is now around 11% after completing the second stage of a $41-billion investment in the maker of ChatGPT. Having made colossal profits as well as losses on previous investments, flamboyant founder Masayoshi Son has pivoted
[7]
SoftBank Completes $40 Billion OpenAI Investment - SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBF), SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBY)
SoftBank Group Corp. (OTC:SFTBY) (OTC:SFTBF) finalized its ambitious investment in OpenAI after months of aggressive maneuvering. The Japanese conglomerate fulfilled its $40 billion investment commitment to OpenAI. Sources close to the deal confirmed to CNBC's David Faber on Tuesday that the
[8]
SoftBank Makes Good on $40 Billion OpenAI Investment | PYMNTS.com
By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The Japanese investment firm last week gave the artificial intelligence startup
[9]
SoftBank has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, source says - The Korea Times
SoftBank Group has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, marking one of the largest private funding rounds ever and deepening founder Masayoshi Son's bet on AI. SoftBank has been building one of the largest private technology investment
[10]
SoftBank Invests $41B in OpenAI, Secures 11% Stake in the AI Company
SoftBank Seals a Historic $41B OpenAI Investment, A Bold AI Bet by Masayoshi Son May Reshape Future Tech Markets SoftBank has sealed a massive $41 billion deal with OpenAI, marking a major moment in the global artificial intelligence race. The investment gives SoftBank an 11% stake in the ChatGPT
[11]
SoftBank completes $40B investment in OpenAI: report
SoftBank Group has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter, marking one of the largest private funding rounds ever and deepening founder Masayoshi Son's bet on AI. SoftBank has been building one of the largest private
[12]
SoftBank has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reports
Dec 30 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group has completed its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, CNBC reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese conglomerate and the ChatGPT maker did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. In early 2025, SoftBank agreed to
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SoftBank has finalized its $40 billion investment in OpenAI, marking one of the largest private technology investments ever. The Japanese conglomerate sent a final $22.5 billion last week, bringing its total stake to 11% in the ChatGPT maker. The funding supports OpenAI's artificial intelligence infrastructure ambitions, including the $500 billion Stargate project.
SoftBank Finalizes Historic $40 Billion Investment in OpenAI
SoftBank has completed its massive $40 billion investment in OpenAI, cementing one of the largest private technology investments in history. The Japanese conglomerate sent a final tranche of $22.5 billion last week, following earlier disbursements of $8 billion and a syndicated $10 billion
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. The total investment actually reached $41 billion, including $30 billion from SoftBank's Vision Fund and $11 billion from third-party co-investors3
. This positions SoftBank as OpenAI's second-largest investor with an 11% stake, trailing only Microsoft's 27.5% ownership4
.
Source: New York Post
Masayoshi Son Doubles Down on Artificial Intelligence
Under founder and CEO Masayoshi Son, SoftBank has pivoted aggressively toward artificial intelligence and related infrastructure. "We are deeply aligned with OpenAI's vision of ensuring AGI benefits all of humanity," Son stated, referring to artificial general intelligence—the theoretical next stage where computers could outperform humans across diverse tasks
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. Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief executive, praised the partnership: "SoftBank saw the potential of AI early and committed with a deep belief in its impact on humanity. Their global leadership and scale help us move faster and bring advanced intelligence to the world"3
. The investment was announced in early 2025 at a $260 billion pre-money valuation, with funding structured to be paid out over 12 to 24 months2
.
Source: ET
Stargate Project and Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Ambitions
A significant portion of the SoftBank OpenAI investment will support the Stargate project, a $500 billion initiative to build artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. Announced by President Donald Trump in January 2025, the venture brings together SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle to deploy 10 gigawatts of computing capacity by 2029
4
. SB Energy, a SoftBank unit developing renewable energy installations, is also supporting the effort4
. This week, SoftBank further expanded its infrastructure footprint by acquiring DigitalBridge Group for approximately $4 billion. DigitalBridge's portfolio includes Vantage Data Centers, which is helping OpenAI construct a Stargate data center campus in Wisconsin4
.Related Stories
Financial Maneuvering Behind the Deal
To finance the $40 billion investment, SoftBank undertook significant financial restructuring. The company sold a $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia and $4.8 billion worth of T-Mobile US stock. Additionally, it secured an $11.5 billion loan against its Arm Holdings shares
4
. The final cash infusion was contingent on a major organizational overhaul at OpenAI, which transformed from a nonprofit with a for-profit arm into a standalone public benefit corporation4
.Soaring OpenAI Valuation Signals Potential Returns
The timing of SoftBank's investment could prove lucrative. When the deal was signed in March at a $300 billion valuation, OpenAI was already valued highly. A recent $6.6 billion secondary sale boosted the OpenAI valuation to $500 billion
4
. Sources indicate OpenAI is negotiating another funding round at an even higher valuation and may pursue an initial public offering in 2027, potentially selling at least $60 billion worth of stock at up to a $1 trillion valuation4
. This trajectory suggests SoftBank could realize substantial returns on what represents one of the boldest bets in the ChatGPT maker's rapid ascent. For AI developers and infrastructure providers, the deal underscores the massive capital flowing into the sector and signals continued consolidation around dominant players with proven capabilities.
Source: SiliconANGLE
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