OpenAI Lays Groundwork for $1 Trillion IPO Ambitions

OpenAI is moving toward a major leap onto public markets, laying the foundation for an initial public offering that could value the company at as much as $1 trillion, according to several insiders familiar with the matter.

The company is reportedly preparing to file with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026, with preliminary plans to raise around $60 billion or more. While it’s aiming for a 2027 listing, some advisors suggest the IPO could happen sooner, depending on growth and market conditions.

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This IPO push follows recent internal restructuring that reduces OpenAI’s dependence on Microsoft’s capital and bolsters its ability to raise independently. Under the new structure, its nonprofit parent—now called the OpenAI Foundation—retains a significant stake and governance role in the for-profit arm.

The move is part of a broader strategy: OpenAI is targeting an annualized revenue run rate of $20 billion, though it still faces growing losses tied to heavy infrastructure and research spending.

Industry observers say going public would allow OpenAI to raise capital more efficiently, authorize stock-based acquisitions, and support CEO Sam Altman’s vision of deploying vast compute at scale to dominate the AI landscape.

If the IPO proceeds on this scale, it would stand among the largest in tech history—and redefine expectations around how AI companies grow and monetize.