OpenAI Plans IPO Share Allocation for Retail Investors
- tech360.tv
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
OpenAI intends to reserve a portion of its initial public offering shares for individual investors, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told CNBC. The ChatGPT creator saw "really strong demand" from individuals during its latest funding round.
The artificial intelligence organisation is preparing for a highly anticipated U.S. stock market listing. It could be valued at up to USD 1 trillion, with a potential filing with securities regulators in the second half of 2026, Reuters reported.
Friar did not comment on the specific IPO timeline. However, she stated it is "good hygiene" for an organisation of OpenAI's size to "look and feel and act ... like a public company."
In its most recent funding round, OpenAI secured over USD 3 billion from individual investors. The round closed with USD 122 billion in committed capital, achieving a post-money valuation of USD 852 billion.
The organisation initially aimed for USD 1 billion from individual investors. These funds were sought through private placements via banks including JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.
OpenAI ultimately secured three times its initial target, according to Friar. She noted this marked the largest private placement those banks have ever managed.
Historically, large institutional investors have been the primary recipients of IPO allocations. Retail investors typically receive only 5% to 10% of shares in public offerings.
Billionaire Elon Musk plans to allocate as much as 30% of SpaceX's IPO to individual investors. This represents at least three times the usual retail portion for such offerings.
SpaceX confidentially filed for a U.S. market debut earlier this month.
OpenAI plans to reserve a portion of its IPO shares for individual retail investors.
Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar stated the company observed "strong demand" from individuals in a recent funding round.
The artificial intelligence organisation could be valued at up to USD 1 trillion and might file for its IPO in the second half of 2026.
Source: REUTERS
