OpenAI nears $30bn round at $1.25 trillion valuation led by UAE

· Tech · United States · United Arab Emirates

OpenAI is close to finalizing a new funding round of up to $30 billion at a valuation of about $1.25 trillion, led by investors from the UAE, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by CNBC. The round is intended as a bridge to the company's planned 2027 initial public offering. The deal would be among the largest private fundraisings ever and would make OpenAI one of the world's most valuable companies. It comes as investors grow more sceptical about the scale of AI spending, with a renewed selloff in AI-related shares this week. The UAE's involvement adds to the Gulf state's expanding role in financing global AI infrastructure.

Why it matters：The deal would cement OpenAI at the centre of the AI boom and show Gulf capital becoming a decisive backer of the technology, even as public markets grow warier of its costs.

Key points

  • Round of up to $30bn at about $1.25 trillion valuation
  • Designed as a bridge to a planned 2027 IPO
  • Led by UAE investors, per sources cited by CNBC

Sources (original reporting)

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