OpenAI hits $852 billion a year after Nigeria’s Adebayo Ogunlesi joins board

More than a year after Nigerian billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi joined the board of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT has secured one of the largest funding rounds in tech history, closing $122 billion in committed capital at a post-money valuation of $852 billion.

The round, which increased from the $110 billion figure announced in February, drew backing from major technology and investment firms including Amazon, NVIDIA, SoftBank and Microsoft. SoftBank co-led the investment alongside Andreessen Horowitz, D. E. Shaw Ventures, MGX, TPG and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price.

ChatGPT growth drives AI expansion

OpenAI helped ignite global interest in artificial intelligence when it launched ChatGPT in 2022. Since then, the company has grown quickly, drawing businesses, developers and consumers to its tools. As of March, ChatGPT had more than 900 million weekly active users and over 50 million subscribers, underscoring demand for AI-powered services across industries.

“AI is driving productivity gains, accelerating scientific discovery, and expanding what people and organizations can build,” OpenAI said in a statement. “This funding gives us the resources to continue to lead at the scale this moment demands.”

The fresh capital also raises expectations for Chief Executive Sam Altman, particularly as OpenAI considers a potential public listing. In recent months, the company has pulled back on some spending plans and discontinued selected features, including its short-form video initiative Sora, as it works to manage costs while continuing to expand.

OpenAI adds credit, investor access

The development comes over a year after Ogunlesi joined OpenAI’s board, adding another chapter to his growing presence in technology and infrastructure investing. Ogunlesi co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners, which oversaw more than $100 billion in assets before it was sold to BlackRock in a $12.5 billion deal. The transaction included $3 billion in cash and 12 million BlackRock shares valued at $9.5 billion, pushing Ogunlesi’s net worth above $2.5 billion.

Since Ogunlesi joined the board in 2025, OpenAI has expanded, raising capital, acquiring startups and committing billions to computing infrastructure. The company also opened access through banking channels, raising more than $3 billion from individual investors. OpenAI said its shares will be included in exchange-traded funds managed by ARK Invest. It also expanded a revolving credit facility to $4.7 billion, backed by global banks. The facility remains undrawn.