OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot, is reportedly in talks to sell a portion of its existing shares in a deal that would value the company at around $29 billion. According to sources familiar with the matter, venture capital firms Thrive Capital and Founders Fund are in talks to purchase the shares, which could total at least $300 million.
This deal, structured as a tender offer, would allow the investors to buy shares from existing shareholders such as OpenAI employees. If the tender offer is successful, it would roughly double the company’s valuation from its previous tender offer in 2021, when it was valued at around $14 billion.
OpenAI has reportedly generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue from selling its AI software, but some investors have questioned the company’s ability to generate significant revenue from its technology. It is worth noting that no final deal has been reached and the terms of the deal could change. Microsoft is also said to be in advanced talks to increase its investment in OpenAI.