OpenAI Seeks $100 Billion Funding as NVIDIA Eyes Massive $30 Billion Stake
In a move that signals an unprecedented consolidation of power within the artificial intelligence sector, OpenAI is reportedly finalizing a funding round aimed at raising $100 billion. This capital injection is expected to elevate the company's valuation to approximately $830 billion, positioning it as one of the most valuable private entities globally, second only to SpaceX.
The most striking development in this round is the participation of NVIDIA. The world's leading AI chipmaker is reportedly shifting from its role as a primary hardware supplier to a strategic stakeholder by committing $30 billion to the round. This direct equity investment replaces a previous $100 billion infrastructure-focused 'letter of intent' from late 2025, suggesting a tighter financial and strategic alliance between the two titans.
Strategic Infrastructure and Revenue Projections
OpenAI’s aggressive fundraising is driven by the staggering costs of the next-generation AI infrastructure. The company has shared long-term projections with investors, anticipating its revenue will top $280 billion by 2030. To achieve this, OpenAI plans to spend roughly $600 billion on compute resources over the next four years, focusing on massive data center buildouts capable of handling the workloads of future 'superintelligence' models.
Other major participants in the funding round include Amazon and SoftBank, with Microsoft also expected to increase its existing stake. These investments are seen as a collective hedge by the world’s largest technology firms on the future of agentic AI and specialized cloud infrastructure.
Justification of Relevance
- Direct Industry Impact: This news directly affects the global AI hardware supply chain and the competitive landscape of cloud computing providers.
- Economic Scale: The $100 billion funding target and $30 billion NVIDIA stake represent the largest private capital movements in the history of the technology sector.
- Strategic Shift: NVIDIA's move into direct equity signifies a transition toward vertical integration between AI software developers and infrastructure providers.
- Future Outlook: The $600 billion compute spend forecast provides a roadmap for the future demand for global data center expansion.
References
- The Guardian: Nvidia reportedly plans to invest $30bn in OpenAI's next funding round
- LiveMint: NVIDIA, OpenAI make U-turn on $100 billion deal; Huang-led company to invest $30 billion
- Nasdaq: The AI Infrastructure Stock That Hyperscalers Are Fighting Over for 2026
- CNA/Reuters: OpenAI targets roughly $600 billion in total compute spend through 2030