SoftBank Group has completed its massive $40 billion investment in OpenAI, marking one of the largest private funding rounds in technology history. The move reinforces founder Masayoshi Son’s long-standing belief that artificial intelligence will define future economic power. This investment arrives as global capital increasingly pivots toward AI-driven platforms and infrastructure.
The funding strengthens SoftBank’s position as one of the world’s most aggressive backers of advanced technology. Over recent years, the Japanese conglomerate has built a vast private investment ecosystem. Its strategy increasingly centers on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and large-scale data infrastructure. Consequently, OpenAI now stands at the core of this broader vision.
Earlier this year, SoftBank agreed to invest up to $40 billion into a for-profit subsidiary of OpenAI. The funding structure combined direct capital with syndicated participation from other investors. This approach allowed SoftBank to anchor the round while spreading exposure across strategic partners. As a result, the deal reshaped expectations around private AI valuations.
The transaction initially valued OpenAI at approximately $300 billion on a post-money basis. However, a secondary share sale completed later in the year pushed the company’s valuation close to $500 billion. This sharp increase highlights the market’s growing confidence in OpenAI’s long-term commercial potential. It also reflects intense competition among investors seeking AI exposure.
SoftBank reportedly transferred the final tranche of roughly $22 billion to $22.5 billion last week. Before that, it syndicated around $10 billion and directly invested nearly $8 billion. These steps completed the funding process and locked in SoftBank’s strategic stake. Meanwhile, OpenAI gained the capital needed to scale aggressively.
Artificial intelligence has become the defining theme of global technology markets this year. Major corporations now race to secure computing power, data centers, and advanced models. Investor expectations have shifted accordingly, favoring firms with strong AI roadmaps. Therefore, OpenAI’s role within this ecosystem continues to expand.
The company also plays a central role in “Stargate,” a multi-year data center initiative. The project aims to support next-generation AI models at unprecedented scale. Several major partners back the effort, including SoftBank and other global stakeholders. This initiative highlights the rising importance of infrastructure alongside software innovation.
With this investment complete, SoftBank has doubled down on its belief that AI will reshape industries and geopolitics alike. OpenAI, meanwhile, gains financial firepower to accelerate research and deployment. Together, the partnership signals a decisive shift toward an AI-driven future.
