SoftBank is in talks to invest up to an additional $30 billion in OpenAI, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, as the AI company looks to raise as much as $100 billion in new funding.
The fundraising effort could value OpenAI at up to $830 billion if it reaches its target, as per the report. Discussions are ongoing, and the terms of any deal could change.
The investment would add to SoftBank’s existing 11% stake in OpenAI. The Japanese group completed a $22.5 billion investment on December 26, 2025, the second and final tranche of its earlier commitment of up to $40 billion.
SoftBank chairman Masayoshi Son said at the time that the firm was aligned with OpenAI’s long-term direction.
To finance its earlier investment, SoftBank sold its stake in chipmaker NVIDIA for $5.8 billion.
OpenAI is seeking large-scale funding to support the development of its AI models, cover rising computing costs, and compete for talent in the global AI market. The company is also exploring a possible initial public offering.
In addition to SoftBank, OpenAI is in talks with Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and other venture capital firms as part of the fundraising. Existing investors include Thrive Capital, Khosla Ventures, and MGX, a fund backed by the United Arab Emirates.
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