OpenAI reportedly finalizing $100B deal at more than $850B valuation

<p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">OpenAI is nearing a deal to raise more than $100 billion at a valuation that could exceed $850 billion, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/openai-funding-on-track-to-top-100-billion-with-latest-round" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Bloomberg reports,</a> citing sources familiar with the matter. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The deal comes as the ChatGPT-maker burns through cash as it inches toward profitability. To that end, OpenAI has said it has started testing <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-rolls-out-ads/">ads in ChatGPT</a> for free users, a gamble that could lead to more revenue or could send users running from the platform. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Apparently investors think it’s worth the risk if they’re valuing the company $20 billion higher than the $830 billion valuation initially expected. The company’s pre-money value will remain at $730 billion, per Bloomberg’s source. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The first tranches of funding are reportedly coming from the usual suspects: Amazon (already in talks to invest <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-29/amazon-in-talks-to-invest-up-to-50-billion-in-openai-wsj-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">up to $50 billion</a>), SoftBank (gearing up for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-28/softbank-in-talks-to-invest-30-billion-more-in-openai-wsj-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">$30 billion</a>), Nvidia (close to investing <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/nvidia-nears-deal-to-invest-20-billion-in-openai-round" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">$20 billion</a>), and Microsoft. VC firms and sovereign wealth funds are expected to close later, potentially bringing the total amount raised higher.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for comment. </p>