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Thrive Capital Invests $1 Billion in OpenAI at $285 Billion Valuation

Prime Highlights

  • Thrive Capital invested approximately $1 billion in OpenAI in December at a $285 billion valuation, strengthening its long-term partnership with the AI company.
  • OpenAI’s broader fundraising round could push its valuation as high as $800 billion, potentially making it one of the world’s most valuable private tech firms.

Key Facts

  • The December deal was completed separately from OpenAI’s ongoing funding round, which may raise more than $100 billion in stages.
  • Strategic investors, including Nvidia, SoftBank, and Amazon, are expected to contribute significant capital in the first phase of the new round.

Background

Venture firm Thrive Capital invested roughly $1 billion in OpenAI in December at a valuation of about $285 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter. The deal was completed separately from the company’s ongoing funding round, which could raise more than $100 billion and significantly increase OpenAI’s market value.

The investment gives Thrive preferential terms and reinforces its position as one of OpenAI’s most committed financial partners. The firm has backed the AI developer for several years and is expected to join the new funding round as well, the source said. A spokesperson for Thrive declined to comment.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the December transaction. Earlier this month, Thrive announced it had closed a new fund worth more than $10 billion, providing fresh capital for large technology bets.

OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, publicly thanked Thrive founder Joshua Kushner on social media, calling him a dedicated and thoughtful investor. The two have worked closely for years as OpenAI expanded its research and commercial products.

The Kushner family has strong political links. Joshua Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, serves as the U.S. ambassador to France, and his brother, Jared Kushner, is the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.

In December, OpenAI also acquired an ownership stake in Thrive Holdings, a company that buys and operates businesses it believes can benefit from artificial intelligence. Financial details of that arrangement were not disclosed.

OpenAI’s broader fundraising is expected to close in stages. Strategic investors such as Nvidia, SoftBank, and Amazon are likely to contribute the majority of capital in the first phase, with additional investors joining later.

If the deal goes through as planned, the new funding round could value OpenAI at up to $800 billion. This would make it one of the world’s most valuable private tech companies and show that investors strongly want advanced AI platforms.