OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has reached an impressive valuation of $500 billion following a secondary share sale, according to a source familiar with the matter. Current and former employees sold roughly $6.6 billion worth of shares in the deal, marking a significant increase from OpenAI’s prior valuation of $300 billion.
This surge underscores OpenAI’s rapid expansion in both user base and revenue. In the first half of 2025, the company generated approximately $4.3 billion in revenue, around 16% more than what it earned in the entire previous year. Investors involved in the share purchase include major firms such as SoftBank, Thrive Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and T Rowe Price.
The company’s soaring valuation positions it as the most valuable privately-held startup worldwide, surpassing competitors like SpaceX. OpenAI has attracted substantial investment through multiple rounds, including a $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank earlier this year.
This milestone reflects both the strong investor confidence in OpenAI’s growth trajectory and the broader surge of interest and funding in artificial intelligence technologies globally. As AI continues to reshape industries, OpenAI’s market position and financial backing highlight its leading role in this transformative era.
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