People familiar with the matter say OpenAI has completed a transaction to buy back about $7bn of shares from current and former employees as it prepares for a possible IPO. Sources said the tender did not involve external investors and bought shares directly from employees. The deal values OpenAI at $852bn, matching its most recent financing round. The company had previously invited investors such as Thrive Capital and SoftBank to purchase employee shares.

2026-08-11

People familiar with the matter say OpenAI has completed a transaction to buy back about $7bn of shares from current and former employees as it prepares for a possible IPO. Sources said the tender did not involve external investors and bought shares directly from employees. The deal values OpenAI at $852bn, matching its most recent financing round. The company had previously invited investors such as Thrive Capital and SoftBank to purchase employee shares.