OpenAI Staff to Sell $6 Billion in Shares to SoftBank and Others

August 16, 2025
OpenAI employees are set to sell $6 billion in shares to investors including SoftBank, valuing the company at $500 billion, according to Bloomberg.

OpenAI employees are planning to sell approximately $6 billion worth of shares to a group of investors, including SoftBank Group Corp., Thrive Capital, and Dragoneer Investment Group. This transaction values the ChatGPT maker at $500 billion, according to Bloomberg. The secondary share sale is in addition to SoftBank's commitment to lead OpenAI's $40 billion funding round, which values the company at $300 billion.

The $500 billion valuation positions OpenAI as the world's most valuable startup, surpassing SpaceX. The company expects its revenue to triple this year to $12.7 billion, up from $3.7 billion in 2024. The share sale provides OpenAI employees an opportunity to capitalize on their equity amid a competitive talent market in the AI industry. Current and former employees who have been with the company for at least two years are eligible to participate in this sale.

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