OpenAI closes a funding round that boosts its value to over 150 billion
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 8:35 am
It is the company that sparked the generative AI craze almost two years ago with the now ubiquitous ChatGPT. And this inevitably puts OpenAI in a privileged position compared to its rivals not only on the technological level but also when it comes to attracting funding from investors . The company led by Sam Altman has just raised $6.6 billion in a round of financing that gives the American startup a value of no less than $157 billion.
This round of financing has been led by the phone number database india venture capital fund Thrive Capital and other investors, including MGM, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi.
The valuation achieved by OpenAI after its latest round of funding puts the company on par with Uber . However, the San Francisco-based company's value is still far from that of its main benefactor and investment arm, Microsoft , which also took part in the latest round of funding and currently has a market capitalization of around $3 trillion.
Also participating in OpenAI's new round of funding are Nvidia, the dominant player in the vibrant market for chips focused on training AI models, and Softbank , a Japanese conglomerate focused on investment management.
After announcing the amount raised in the company's latest round of financing, Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, wanted to highlight yesterday the growing popularity of the startup's flagship product, ChatGPT , which already has more than 250 million active weekly users.
“Every week, over 250 million people rely on ChatGPT , regardless of the magnitude of the challenge they approach the tool with, whether it’s communicating with someone who speaks another language or solving the most complex problems. AI is personalizing learning, accelerating progress in healthcare, and boosting productivity . And this is just the beginning,” Friar said.
This round of financing has been led by the phone number database india venture capital fund Thrive Capital and other investors, including MGM, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi.
The valuation achieved by OpenAI after its latest round of funding puts the company on par with Uber . However, the San Francisco-based company's value is still far from that of its main benefactor and investment arm, Microsoft , which also took part in the latest round of funding and currently has a market capitalization of around $3 trillion.
Also participating in OpenAI's new round of funding are Nvidia, the dominant player in the vibrant market for chips focused on training AI models, and Softbank , a Japanese conglomerate focused on investment management.
After announcing the amount raised in the company's latest round of financing, Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, wanted to highlight yesterday the growing popularity of the startup's flagship product, ChatGPT , which already has more than 250 million active weekly users.
“Every week, over 250 million people rely on ChatGPT , regardless of the magnitude of the challenge they approach the tool with, whether it’s communicating with someone who speaks another language or solving the most complex problems. AI is personalizing learning, accelerating progress in healthcare, and boosting productivity . And this is just the beginning,” Friar said.