SoftBank commits up to $40B more to OpenAI

SoftBank Group plans to invest up to $40 billion more in OpenAI through a new follow-on deal. The move deepens its bet on AI as it looks to back OpenAI’s next phase of growth.

Funding details: Up to USD 40 billion (Unspecified)

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SoftBank Group is doubling down on its OpenAI bet. The Japanese tech investor said it has signed a new agreement to invest up to $40 billion more into OpenAI, the US-based AI company behind ChatGPT.

The deal was signed on March 31, 2025, US time. SoftBank expects to put in up to $30 billion itself, while looking to bring in co-investors for the remaining $10 billion.

The first $10 billion is expected to close in April. The rest could follow by December, depending on how OpenAI restructures parts of its corporate setup. SoftBank said the deal values OpenAI at a pre-money valuation of $260 billion.

SoftBank has already invested about $2.2 billion in OpenAI since late 2024 through its Vision Fund 2. The firm now sees OpenAI as its key long-term partner in artificial intelligence, especially as AI systems grow larger and need more computing power.

Earlier this year, SoftBank and OpenAI also announced the Stargate Project, a plan to build large AI infrastructure in the US to support future models.

Masayoshi Son, SoftBank’s founder and CEO, has repeatedly said AI is entering a new phase. While the company did not share direct comments in this announcement, it made clear that OpenAI sits at the center of SoftBank’s long-term AI plans.

Part of the April investment will be funded through loans from banks including Mizuho. SoftBank said its balance sheet rules remain unchanged despite the size of the deal.

The investment will be made into OpenAI Global, the for-profit arm of OpenAI. The securities will convert into shares if OpenAI eventually goes public.

The announcement was first shared by SoftBank in an official filing.

Source: SoftBank Group announcement