OpenAI IPO: when is it, how much is OpenAI worth, and can you buy OpenAI stock?
OpenAI is reportedly raising up to $30 billion at a $1.25 trillion valuation before a possible 2027 stock market listing. Here's what we know about the IPO and whether you can invest in OpenAI today.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is getting ready to become a public company. According to reports from CNBC and others this week, OpenAI is working on a new funding round of up to $30 billion at a value of $1.25 trillion, a final private raise before a possible stock market listing (IPO).
If it goes ahead, OpenAI would become the most valuable private company in history. Here’s what we know, in simple terms.
The new billion funding round
- Amount: up to $30 billion
- Valuation: $1.25 trillion before the new money (called “pre-money”)
- Lead investors: investment firm Coatue and investors from the United Arab Emirates, according to CNBC
- Deadline: investors reportedly have until October 30 to commit
- Status: terms are still being negotiated and could change. OpenAI declined to comment.
The UAE part of the deal may be linked to OpenAI getting more computing power from data centers being built in the UAE, according to reports.
Why did OpenAI lower its price?
In late September, Bloomberg reported OpenAI was aiming for about $1.4 trillion. The Financial Times reports that the target was cut to $1.25 trillion because some investors pushed back on the higher price.
Reasons mentioned in reports include:
- A recent sell-off in US tech stocks
- Doubts about whether huge spending on AI data centers will pay off
- “Funding fatigue” among investors who have already put in large amounts
Even so, $1.25 trillion is still about 50% higher than OpenAI’s last valuation of $852 billion in March 2026.
When is the OpenAI IPO?
There’s no official date yet. Here’s what we know:
- OpenAI confidentially filed for an IPO in June 2026. This means it sent its paperwork to US regulators privately, which is a normal early step.
- Reports point to a listing in 2027, possibly in the first half of the year.
- CEO Sam Altman has said that going public right now would be the wrong timing, according to reports.
The new $30 billion round looks like a “bridge”: money to keep growing until OpenAI is ready to list on the stock market.
The race with Anthropic
OpenAI’s biggest rival, Anthropic (maker of Claude), also filed confidentially for an IPO in June. CNBC reports that Anthropic is seeking a $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion valuation for its public debut, and some reports expect it to list before OpenAI. Some investors may wait to see how Anthropic’s IPO goes before putting more money into OpenAI.
Can you buy OpenAI stock today?
No, not directly. OpenAI is still a private company, so its shares aren’t sold on public stock markets like the NASDAQ or NYSE. Be very careful of websites or social media posts offering “OpenAI shares” or “pre-IPO tokens”; many are scams.
Some people get indirect exposure through public companies that have invested in OpenAI. The best-known is Microsoft, which owns a large stake (about 27% after OpenAI’s 2025 restructuring). But Microsoft is a huge company with many other businesses, so its stock price doesn’t move only with OpenAI.
Note: ByteTidings does not give financial advice. Investing carries risk. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed financial adviser.
What happens when OpenAI goes public?
- OpenAI will publish a public S-1 filing with detailed numbers such as revenue, costs and risks.
- It will choose a stock exchange and a ticker symbol.
- Banks will set the IPO price, and shares will start trading on listing day.
- Regular investors can then buy shares through a normal brokerage app.
Why it matters
An OpenAI IPO would be one of the biggest stock market listings ever. It will also be a big test of whether investors believe AI companies can turn huge spending into long-term profits. The results of the Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs could shape the whole AI industry for years.
Frequently asked questions
When is the OpenAI IPO date?
There’s no official date. OpenAI filed confidentially in June 2026, and reports suggest a listing in 2027.
How much is OpenAI worth?
Its last official valuation was $852 billion (March 2026). The new round under discussion would value it at $1.25 trillion before the new investment.
Can I buy OpenAI stock now?
No. OpenAI is private, so you can’t buy its shares on a public stock exchange yet. Beware of scams offering “pre-IPO” OpenAI shares.
What will OpenAI’s stock ticker be?
It hasn’t been announced. It will be revealed closer to the IPO.
Who owns OpenAI?
OpenAI’s owners include its nonprofit foundation, Microsoft, employees and many investors, such as SoftBank and venture capital firms.
