OpenAI is accelerating its path to profitability by completing its largest funding round in history and preparing for an IPO. Behind the record numbers is a clear strategy: to put all its power into developing a "super app" to dominate daily artificial intelligence usage.

Highlights:

  • OpenAI raised 122 billion dollars, increasing its valuation to 852 billion dollars; during this process, Amazon (50 billion dollars), Nvidia, and SoftBank (each 30 billion dollars) made significant contributions.
  • The company now generates 2 billion dollars in monthly revenue, but infrastructure costs are rising faster.
  • OpenAI is preparing a "super app" that combines ChatGPT, Codex, and web browser features; this app will provide a single entry point to artificial intelligence.
  • Under pressure from Google and Anthropic, OpenAI redirected its resources to professional uses by shutting down iconic projects like Sora.

OpenAI has completed its most ambitious investment round to date: 122 billion dollars raised, surpassing the 110 billion dollars announced at the end of February. This transaction raises the company's valuation to 852 billion dollars, reinforcing its leadership in the artificial intelligence field during a period when the IPO date remains uncertain.

The funding is based on three strategic investors announced on February 27:

  • Amazon contributed 50 billion dollars; however, 35 billion dollars is contingent upon achieving an IPO or general artificial intelligence (AGI) goal.
  • Nvidia and SoftBank each contributed 30 billion dollars.
  • Additionally, over 3 billion dollars was raised from individual investors through banking channels; this represents a first showing of the company's systematic preparation for a potential IPO.
  • OpenAI also integrated several ETFs managed by ARK Invest and increased a 4.7 billion dollar renewable credit line supported by JPMorgan Chase, Citi, and Goldman Sachs, although it has not yet utilized it.

A "Super App" Centralizing All Operations

The raised funds will be used to finance a specific goal: to create a single app that can do everything. OpenAI has officially approved the project to combine ChatGPT, which has 900 million users weekly, with the coding tool Codex and internet browser features.

The goal is to provide a system that understands user intents and autonomously operates across different applications and workflows. Codex has now reached over two million users weekly; this is five times more than three months ago.

This combination strategy is based on a simple logic: whoever controls the daily artificial intelligence entry point controls the market. OpenAI aims to be this universal entry point.

Record Revenues, But Soaring Costs

The financial situation is contradictory. OpenAI forecasts 13.1 billion dollars in revenue for 2025 and is now generating 2 billion dollars in monthly revenue. These impressive figures are insufficient to cover infrastructure costs; these costs are rising faster due to the construction and operation of massive data centers.

To support this infrastructure, the company is working with various partners such as Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, CoreWeave, and Google Cloud; it is also collaborating with semiconductor manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, and Cerebras. Additionally, it continues to develop its own chip in collaboration with Broadcom. This cyclical logic ensures that more processing power leads to better models, better models lead to better products, and better products generate more revenue.

Refocusing in the Face of Competition

Behind this funding round is increased competitive pressure. OpenAI has revised its roadmap twice in the last six months; first in response to the rise of Google and Gemini, and then due to the increasing influence of Anthropic with its Claude models.

To respond to this threat, Sam Altman initiated a deep restructuring by the end of March:

  • The closure of Sora, the video production service; this decision surprised Disney, which was linked to OpenAI through a billion-dollar contract in December;
  • The complete abandonment of chatbot projects for adults;
  • Focusing all processing power on professional uses and the development of Codex.

While the company was exploring many aspects simultaneously six months ago, it ultimately decided on a single system, a single priority.