OpenAI has completed a $6.6 billion employee share sale at a record $500 billion valuation, making it the world’s most valuable startup and surpassing SpaceX.
The buyers included Thrive Capital, SoftBank, Dragoneer, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and T. Rowe Price, with the sale mainly benefiting current and former staff. The secondary deal sharply increased OpenAI’s valuation, previously at $300 billion earlier this year, amid rising investor appetite for leading AI companies.