TLDR:
- OpenAI completes deal valuing the company at $80 billion.
- Deal led by Thrive Capital allows employees to cash out their shares.
OpenAI, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company, recently completed a deal that values the company at over $80 billion. The deal, which nearly tripled the company’s valuation in less than 10 months, involved a tender offer led by venture firm Thrive Capital. This deal allowed employees to cash out their shares in the company, rather than raising money for business operations. OpenAI is now one of the world’s most valuable tech start-ups, behind ByteDance and SpaceX, according to CB Insights.
This funding boom in generative A.I. technology began after OpenAI released the online chatbot ChatGPT, capturing the public’s imagination. The deal comes at a critical time for OpenAI, providing much-needed confidence after a year of controversy, including the firing and reinstatement of their CEO, Sam Altman. Investors are eager to pour money into A.I. companies, with Microsoft investing $13 billion in OpenAI last year, among other significant investments in the industry.
OpenAI’s latest deal was nearly derailed in November when Altman was unexpectedly fired, causing turmoil among employees. However, after his reinstatement, the deal was finalized, showcasing continued interest and investment in the rapidly growing A.I. sector.