Observed Signal · Feb 10, 2025 · Funding · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
SoftBank to Invest $40 Billion in OpenAI, Overtaking Microsoft
SoftBank plans to invest $40 billion in OpenAI, which would be the largest AI investment ever and raise OpenAI's valuation to around $300 billion, up from $157 billion in October 2024. SoftBank would overtake Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion, as OpenAI's largest backer. CNBC first reported the plan. SoftBank may syndicate up to $10 billion to other investors, with payout over 12 to 24 months. Funds will partly support the Stargate AI infrastructure project run with Oracle. The companies also plan a Japan B2B joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, and SoftBank will spend $3 billion annually integrating OpenAI technology across its group.
The planned $40 billion investment is the largest AI funding round ever reported, reshaping the AI investment landscape, boosting OpenAI's valuation to $300 billion, and accelerating AI infrastructure buildout with broad implications for AI-driven advertising and enterprise technology.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- SoftBank plans to invest $40 billion in OpenAI, reportedly the largest AI investment ever.
- OpenAI's valuation would rise to approximately $300 billion, from $157 billion in October 2024.
- SoftBank would surpass Microsoft ($13 billion invested) as OpenAI's largest investor.
- OpenAI and SoftBank plan the B2B joint venture 'SB OpenAI Japan' for the Japanese market.
- SoftBank announced it will spend $3 billion annually integrating OpenAI technology within its group.
Connected Companies & Entities
14 Entities mapped“SoftBank plans to invest $40 billion in the American AI operator OpenAI....”
“Lead investor Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion so far, would be more than tripled....”
“The Stargate project is jointly driven by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle....”
“SoftBank plans to invest $40 billion in the American AI operator OpenAI....”
“Last year, Thrive Capital, Nvidia, and SoftBank among others put a total of $6.6 billion into the AI company....”
“Last year, Thrive Capital, Nvidia, and SoftBank among others put a total of $6.6 billion into the AI company....”
“In January, Chinese competitor DeepSeek shot its app to the top of the Apple App Store chart right after release....”
“Tech giants Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft want to invest a total of $320 billion in AI in 2025....”
“Tech giants Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft want to invest a total of $320 billion in AI in 2025; Amazon alone plans $100 billion....”
“As CNBC first reported, OpenAI is set to receive the largest capital injection of all time from SoftBank....”
“Tech giants Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft want to invest a total of $320 billion in AI in 2025....”
“DeepSeek's app reached the top of the Apple App Store ranking after its release....”
“The new OpenAI valuation of $300 billion corresponds almost to the value of SAP, Germany's most valuable listed company....”
“According to forecasts reported by Bloomberg, generative AI will exceed $1 trillion in revenue within ten years....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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