OpenAI is reportedly in talks with investors to raise $6.5 billion in new funding, valuing the startup at $150 billion, according to Bloomberg and the Financial Times.
The new valuation, which doesn’t include the money being raised, is significantly higher than OpenAI’s previously reported valuation from earlier this year, $86 billion, and far higher than any other AI startup today. The funding round will reportedly be led by Thrive Capital, a major investor of OpenAI in previous rounds. Other reported investors include Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia — OpenAI partners that are all invested in the success of the AI startup, in one way or another.
Bloomberg also reports that OpenAI is in talks to raise $5 billion in debt from a few banks.
In August, the Wall Street Journal reported Thrive was leading a massive funding round for OpenAI, planning to contribute roughly $1 billion. However, the Journal reported OpenAI’s valuation for this round at around $100 billion.