OpenAI Eyes $500 Billion Share Sale, Could Outvalue SpaceX
OpenAI, the San Francisco-based developer behind ChatGPT, is reportedly in early-stage discussions over a potential share sale that could see the artificial intelligence company valued at $500 billion, surpassing Elon Musk’s SpaceX in market worth.
Embracing the Future: OpenAI’s Bold Leap
Bloomberg recently floated a plan that could skyrocket OpenAI’s value to an eye‑popping $500 billion—a near two‑thirds boost from its last $300 billion estimate. The idea? Sell shares held by current and former employees, while top investors like Thrive Capital eye a buy‑in at this lofty price. If it goes through, OpenAI would go from being a close runner‑up to SpaceX, which sits around $350 billion, to becoming the kick‑ass champ of the AI world.
Why This Sale Matters
- Talent war heats up: Meta is pulling OpenAI’s brightest engineers with jaw‑dropping bonuses of up to $100 million.
- Retention strategy: Selling shares offers employees a sweet liquidity punch, without the headaches of a full public float.
- Capital for expansion: More money means faster scaling of model training—essential when powering the next AI leaps.
OpenAI’s New Pulse
And it’s not just about funding. Altman’s recent chatter suggests two major things:
- GPT‑5 on the horizon: A screenshot hinting at the next big model, coupled with the launch of two brand‑new open‑source AI projects.
- Open‑source war: A direct challenge to Meta and China’s DeepSeek, who are dropping their own open‑source tools to win hearts and minds.
Yet, at its core, OpenAI still rides its “closed” model—ChatGPT subscriptions and enterprise integrations that keep the profits flowing.
From Non‑Profit Roots to For‑Profit Ambitions
OpenAI’s governance blends a non‑profit core with a for‑profit arm. Talks to shift fully into profit mode have hit a snag, largely because of complex talks with Microsoft. Altman, in a relaxed interview on a New York Times podcast, emphasized the partnership’s upside but also the occasional friction.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk—a former co‑founder—had a legal showdown in March when a U.S. court denied his attempt to stop OpenAI’s move toward profit. Musk has kept up his public critiques, claiming the company has veered from its original mission to benefit humanity.
Hardware Horizons
- New acquisition: OpenAI snapped up io, the tech startup helmed by Apple’s legendary Sir Jony Ive, in a $6.4 billion deal.
- AI companions on the way: Altman says the company plans to produce 100 million AI‑powered personal devices by 2027, calling them the “coolest tech the world will ever see.”
Crossing the $500 Billion Line?
With the rumored sell‑out, OpenAI could lead the pack, outpacing not only SpaceX but also rivals like Anthropic (aiming at $170 billion and backed by Amazon and Google). The stakes are high—training AI models is now a cash‑hungry beast demanding massive data center power and next‑gen chips. Securing capital isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.
If that valuation sticks, OpenAI would join the league of the world’s most valuable private firms, cementing its status as the heavyweight champ in a field where regulation, ethics, and global politics are all storming into the arena.
