Summary
Nvidia Corporation is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, a substantially smaller figure than the $100 billion pledge the chipmaker had signalled for 2025. The $30 billion would form a portion of a larger $100 billion financing round that sources say would place OpenAI at an $830 billion valuation after the money is injected.
Deal status and structure
People familiar with the matter told reporters that Nvidia and OpenAI are in the closing stages of talks. The discussions over the proposed $30 billion from Nvidia are described as advanced enough that completion could occur as early as this weekend. The $30 billion commitment would sit inside a broader capital raise totalling $100 billion that is intended to back OpenAI’s operations and development.
Capital deployment and customer dynamics
The parties indicated that much of OpenAI’s incoming capital will be channelled back into Nvidia hardware purchases. That dynamic would see OpenAI reinvesting a substantial share of the funds to support the computing infrastructure required to run and further develop its advanced AI models.
Market reaction and investor concerns
Reports over the past month that Nvidia had trimmed a previously stated $100 billion commitment for 2025 prompted sharp declines across U.S. technology and artificial intelligence stocks, according to reporting. Investors reacted to worries about the AI sector’s durability given its high cash-burn profile. Both Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI chief Sam Altman sought to downplay reports suggesting friction between the two organisations.
Broader investor interest and IPO timeline
OpenAI is understood to be engaged in discussions with other prospective backers, including SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and MGX, an Abu Dhabi state-backed technology investment fund. Earlier reports this year indicated that OpenAI has targeted an initial public offering possibly as soon as the end of 2026 as it pursues additional financing to offset the substantial costs of operating and evolving its AI systems.
Key takeaways
- The proposed $30 billion from Nvidia is smaller than the previously stated $100 billion commitment for 2025 and would be part of a $100 billion round valuing OpenAI at $830 billion after investment.
- OpenAI plans to reinvest a significant portion of the new funding into Nvidia hardware, reinforcing supplier-customer financial ties.
- Other major technology and investment players are in talks to participate in the fundraising, while OpenAI continues to weigh an IPO timeline that could target late 2026.
Risks and uncertainties
- The scale-back from an earlier $100 billion pledge to a reported $30 billion commitment has contributed to market volatility in technology and AI equities, reflecting investor concern about the sector’s long-term cash requirements.
- Investment by a major hardware supplier into a large customer raises questions about circular financing and the potential for inflated valuations in the AI sector.
- The timetable for concluding the financing, and whether the broader $100 billion round completes on the terms reported, remains uncertain given ongoing negotiations with multiple parties.
Given the information available, the proposed transaction and the surrounding discussions are likely to remain focal points for markets and technology investors until the funding round is formally announced or revised.