Finance
OpenAI eyes $500 billion valuation in potential employee share sale, source says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on August 6, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on August 6, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
OpenAI is considering a stock sale valuing it at $500 billion, allowing employees to cash out. Thrive Capital may participate, amid AI talent competition.
By Krystal Hu and Yazhini MV
(Reuters) -ChatGPT maker OpenAI is in early-stage discussions about a stock sale that would allow employees to cash out and could value the company at about $500 billion, a source familiar with the matter said.
Existing investors, including Thrive Capital, are in discussions to participate, said the source, who requested anonymity because the talks are private.
The $500 billion valuation is an eye-popping bump-up from the $300 billion valuation that the Microsoft-backed company currently has.
The share sale would offer a financial incentive to employees as technology giants such as Meta compete aggressively for AI researchers with lucrative compensation packages.
Thrive Capital declined to comment. Bloomberg first reported the potential sale on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Krystal Hu in New York and Yazhini MV in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Edwina Gibbs)
A valuation is the process of determining the current worth of an asset or a company. It considers various factors, including market conditions, financial performance, and future growth potential.
An employee stock sale allows employees to sell their shares in a company, often as a way to realize gains from stock options or equity compensation. This can provide liquidity and financial benefits to employees.
Venture capital is a form of private equity financing where investors provide capital to startups and small businesses with long-term growth potential. In exchange, they often receive equity in the company.
A financial incentive is a monetary benefit offered to motivate individuals or businesses to take specific actions, such as achieving sales targets or participating in stock options.
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