Will OpenAI Have an IPO?

OpenAI has not yet announced an official IPO date, but it is considered one of the most eagerly awaited IPOs in the artificial intelligence sector for 2023. This is due to OpenAI's significant contributions in advancing natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning technologies.

In the last 6-12 months, OpenAI’s prominence in the AI field rose substantially thanks to the release of ChatGPT Versions 3, 3.5 and most recently ChatGPT4. These text-based AI interfaces are the fastest application to reach 100 million users in 2 months. Despite this attention, OpenAI has chosen to maintain its independence, with plans to eventually conduct an initial public offering (IPO) in the future.

OpenAI IPO

OpenAI Stock IPO Price

Since OpenAI has not yet confirmed any plans for an IPO, there is no established price for its stock. That said, they did recently raise $300 million at a $27 billion valuation from leading venture capitalists including Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz.

The company's eventual IPO price will hinge on market conditions and investor enthusiasm for the sector during the potential public launch, with OpenAI's advances in AI and NLP technologies driving anticipation.

Who Owns OpenAI Equity?

Founded by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others, OpenAI transitioned to a capped-for-profit model in 2019. Equity ownership is distributed among founders, employees, and investors, including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, Andreessen Horowitz, and Bedrock Capital. 

In 2023, Microsoft invested $10 billion into OpenAI in an effort to help scale ChatGPT by providing the necessary computing power to handle the growing demand. With this investment, Microsoft aimed to bolster ChatGPT's capabilities, enabling the AI platform to cater to an expanding user base and meet the increasing need for natural language processing solutions across various industries. 

Microsoft is considering a further $10 billion investment in 2023, potentially valuing OpenAI at $29 billion. The capped-for-profit structure ensures limited partner gains and aims to redistribute wealth through the non-profit foundation if AGI is achieved.

Does Elon Musk still own OpenAI?

After co-founding OpenAI in 2015, Elon Musk left the board in 2018. Though he continues to advise and donate to the organization, it is unclear whether he retains an equity stake. His ongoing involvement, however, suggests a persistent interest in OpenAI's endeavors.

Bottom Line

OpenAI, a leader in AI and NLP technologies, has not yet announced IPO plans but remains a highly anticipated candidate. With ownership distributed among founders, employees, and investors, the organization has attracted substantial investments, including a recent $10 billion from Microsoft. 

As OpenAI continues to make strides in AI innovation, it garners attention from industry giants like Elon Musk, who maintains a connection despite stepping down from the board. The future of OpenAI remains promising as it pushes the boundaries of artificial intelligence.