MENA Newswire News Desk: Tiger Global is set to join OpenAI’s upcoming funding round, which is expected to value the artificial intelligence startup at over $150 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Thrive Capital, leading the round, is planning to invest $1 billion. Major tech players such as Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple are also reportedly in talks to participate. This move follows a surge in OpenAI’s valuation, which reached $80 billion earlier this year, up from $29 billion in 2023.
The company’s annual revenue has surpassed $2 billion, driven by the success of its ChatGPT product launched in late 2022. OpenAI’s rapid growth has seen its weekly active user base double to 200 million, positioning it as one of the leading names in the AI industry. OpenAI recently released a preview of its new AI model, o1, which focuses on solving complex reasoning problems. This release comes on the heels of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s participation in a high-level meeting at the White House.
Altman, along with leaders from Anthropic, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google, among others, discussed the future of AI energy infrastructure in the U.S. The discussion also covered topics such as data center capacity, semiconductor manufacturing, and the overall impact of AI on the nation’s energy grid. Microsoft, which has been a key investor in OpenAI, could potentially deepen its relationship with the AI firm if it joins this funding round. Nvidia and Apple, who are also rumored to be in talks, may further solidify their positions within the AI space by supporting OpenAI’s continued innovation.
The Information was the first to report on Tiger Global’s planned participation, signaling the growing interest in OpenAI’s technology. The company’s latest initiatives, including ventures into AI-generated photos and videos, have further bolstered its standing in the industry. OpenAI representatives have not yet commented on the funding round. However, sources indicate that final agreements are expected soon, marking another milestone in the company’s rapid ascent.