**SoftBank Completes $41 Billion Investment in OpenAI**
SoftBank has finalized its monumental $41 billion investment in OpenAI, marking one of the largest private funding rounds in history. With this transaction, SoftBank secures an 11% stake in the parent company of ChatGPT. This strategic move aligns with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s commitment to heavily invest in artificial intelligence and its supporting infrastructure, especially as demand for AI computing capabilities continues to soar.
In a recent press release, SoftBank detailed that the initial closing occurred in April 2025, with a $7.5 billion investment through the SoftBank Vision Fund 2 (SVF2). The company has now completed an additional $22.5 billion investment in the second closing, also via SVF2. Furthermore, OpenAI has attracted an upsized syndicated co-investment totaling $11 billion from other investors, as noted in SoftBank’s statement.
This announcement follows a report from CNBC regarding the completion of the transaction. The AI sector has become a focal point in global technology markets this year, driving significant investments from major corporations and reshaping investor expectations. OpenAI has positioned itself as a key player in this industry-wide push for AI spending, securing partnerships and investments from some of the largest companies worldwide.
Masayoshi Son expressed his alignment with OpenAI’s mission, stating, “We are deeply aligned with OpenAI’s vision of ensuring AGI benefits all of humanity.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman echoed this sentiment, highlighting SoftBank’s early recognition of AI’s potential and its commitment to advancing technology for the betterment of humanity.
In March, SoftBank had previously agreed to invest up to $40 billion into a for-profit subsidiary of OpenAI, with the funding structured as a mix of direct capital and syndicated co-investment. This deal valued OpenAI at approximately $300 billion post-money, but a subsequent secondary stock sale in October raised the company’s valuation to around $500 billion, according to Pitchbook data.
The completion of this funding round comes shortly after SoftBank announced its acquisition of DigitalBridge Group, a digital infrastructure investor, in a deal valued at $4 billion. Additionally, SoftBank and OpenAI, in collaboration with Oracle, are spearheading the $500 billion Stargate project aimed at developing AI infrastructure in the United States, a venture announced by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
**FAQ**
**What is the significance of SoftBank’s investment in OpenAI?**
SoftBank’s $41 billion investment in OpenAI is significant as it represents one of the largest private funding rounds in history, highlighting the growing importance and demand for AI technologies in the global market.
