One-sentence summary
Cailianshe reported on October 23, 2026 that OpenAI is about to close a $30 billion funding round at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation, co-led by UAE investors and investment firm Coatue, with signing planned before the end of next week and the round positioned as transitional financing before a potential IPO.
Event Overview
- Cailianshe reported on October 23, 2026, citing informed sources, that OpenAI is about to complete a funding round of up to $30 billion at a pre-money valuation of $1.25 trillion (excluding the new funds being raised).
- According to the report, OpenAI told investors on Thursday (October 22) that it plans to complete signing before the end of next week, with the final round size still under discussion.
- The round is positioned as transitional financing ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO); OpenAI confidentially filed IPO registration documents with the U.S. SEC in June 2026.
Key Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Report date | October 23, 2026 (Cailianshe) |
| Round size | About $30 billion (not yet finalized) |
| Pre-money valuation | $1.25 trillion |
| Lead investors | UAE investors and Coatue, jointly leading (informed sources) |
| Signing plan | Before the end of next week (told to investors on Oct 22) |
| Prior round | $122 billion raised in March 2026 at an $852 billion valuation |
Background and Impact
- On the IPO timeline, OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar previously told employees the company could go public in 2027; this report does not change that timeline.
- The report says OpenAI wants to secure investor commitments before Anthropic's IPO disclosures. Anthropic plans an IPO in November seeking a valuation of up to $2 trillion, while some investors consider a valuation around $1.5 trillion more reasonable.
- Informed sources said OpenAI is also negotiating a companion commercial agreement to secure additional compute supply from the UAE as the round progresses.
- Cailianshe noted that higher interest rates, tech-stock volatility and investor scrutiny of AI infrastructure spending make industry fundraising and IPO plans more complicated.
Official Sources
- Cailianshe: AI giants race before listing - OpenAI nears $30 billion funding round (October 23, 2026)link