OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, reportedly wants a valuation of at least $1.5 trillion for a possible funding round. Mint reported on Sept. 16, citing The New York Times, that investors had proposed roughly $1.2 trillion. CNBC’s reporting the same day adds a qualification: no formal discussions are underway, and OpenAI is not actively engaging in conversations.
Why does OpenAI reportedly want $1.5 trillion?
OpenAI believes stronger customer demand for its products justifies the higher valuation, according to Mint’s account of the Times reporting. The report identifies Codex, its coding tool, and the GPT-6 Astra and GPT-5.6 Sol models as the basis for that view.
The figures describe proposed valuations of the company, not amounts it would raise. The reporting does not establish an agreed price or a completed investment.
Who is proposing the funding, and what could employees get?
Investors approached OpenAI, and some framed a potential round as a way for employees to sell shares, CNBC reports, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. OpenAI declined to comment to the outlet.
The company raised $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation in March. A separate share sale totaling roughly $7 billion in August allowed employees to sell part of their holdings, according to CNBC.
Would another round delay OpenAI’s IPO?
Additional funding could give OpenAI more flexibility over when to go public, but a delay is not settled. Mint, citing Bloomberg, reports that another round could allow the company to push its initial public offering back by one or two quarters. It also reports that CEO Sam Altman told Fortune the IPO would not happen this year.
Whether OpenAI accepts more private funding, and at what valuation, remains unresolved.
