New Delhi: OpenAI is preparing for what could become one of the largest private funding rounds in technology history. Talks are underway with three of the world’s
biggest tech firms, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon, about a combined investment of up to $60 billion (around ₹5.4 lakh crore), according to a report by The Information.
If completed, the round would mark a dramatic moment in the global AI race. It would also highlight how deeply intertwined OpenAI has become with the companies that supply its chips, cloud infrastructure, and commercial distribution.
NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon circle a massive OpenAI deal
According to The Information, NVIDIA is in discussions to invest up to $30 billion (around ₹2.7 lakh crore). Microsoft is expected to invest less than $10 billion (around ₹90,000 crore). Amazon, which would join OpenAI as a new investor, may put in more than $10 billion (around ₹90,000 crore), and the amount could even exceed $20 billion (around ₹1.8 lakh crore).
All three companies already have strong technology partnerships with OpenAI.
NVIDIA supplies the chips that power OpenAI’s AI models. Microsoft is a long-term backer with exclusive rights to sell OpenAI models to cloud customers. Amazon’s potential investment may depend on separate cloud service and ChatGPT-related agreements, according to people familiar with the matter.
OpenAI said in November last year that it would spend $38 billion (around ₹3.42 lakh crore) leasing servers from AWS over the next seven years. This makes Amazon Web Services one of the five cloud providers OpenAI uses to develop its AI systems.
SoftBank may add another $30 billion
The same report says SoftBank Group plans to invest up to another $30 billion (around ₹2.7 lakh crore) into OpenAI. If all discussions move forward, the total financing could reach as high as $100 billion (around ₹9 lakh crore).
OpenAI’s pre-investment valuation is said to be around $730 billion (around ₹65.7 lakh crore).
Why OpenAI needs this much money
Running and training large AI models is extremely expensive. OpenAI estimates that its computing and infrastructure costs between 2026 and 2030 could exceed $430 billion (around ₹38.7 lakh crore). During this period, its cash burn could approach $70 billion (around ₹6.3 lakh crore).
This massive funding round could ease market worries about OpenAI’s cash flow. Public market investors have recently questioned whether the company can meet its spending commitments with Oracle and Microsoft.
The report says OpenAI is close to receiving letters of intent from the interested companies. The round is not final yet, and other institutional investors could also join later.
What this means for the AI race
If completed, this financing would widen OpenAI’s financial lead over rivals. Anthropic has previously predicted its revenue in 2029 could surpass OpenAI’s. A $100 billion round would change that equation fast.
