OpenAI lowers valuation target, raises up to $30 billion
OpenAI lowers valuation target, raises up to $30 billion
OpenAI is pursuing a funding round of up to $30 billion, but has cut its valuation target from $1.4 trillion to $1.25 trillion, according to internal documents obtained by the FT and CNBC reporting. The round is led by UAE investors and investment firm Coatue, and is positioned as transitional funding ahead of a potential IPO. The FT said demand from some investors is soft after they invested heavily in earlier rounds.
The article brings together reporting details from the FT and CNBC, placing OpenAI's funding size, valuation cut and IPO timeline in the same context.
Oct 23, 2026
OpenAI is closing in on a new funding round of up to $30 billion but has lowered its valuation target to get there. The company originally pitched investors on a $1.4 trillion valuation, according to internal documents obtained by the Financial Times. That number has since dropped to $1.25 trillion, CNBC also reports. The FT says demand was weaker than in previous rounds, with some backers experiencing "indigestion" after heavy investments in earlier fundraises.
UAE investors and investment firm Coatue are leading the $30 billion round. The funding is being positioned as a bridge ahead of a potential IPO. OpenAI is also negotiating a commercial deal to secure additional compute capacity through the UAE, according to CNBC.
OpenAI confidentially filed an IPO prospectus with the SEC in June. CFO Sarah Friar told employees in August that OpenAI would be a publicly traded company by 2027. CEO Sam Altman said in September, though, that the timing was unfavorable for going public. He had already communicated that internally back in June. Competitor Anthropic is also preparing an IPO and is targeting a valuation between $1.5 and $2 trillion.
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Source: The Decoder · the-decoder.com