---
title: "SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion into OpenAI, FT reports"
description: "Jan 29 (Reuters) - SoftBank 9984.T is in talks to invest up to $25 billion into ChatGPT owner OpenAI and become the AI firm's largest financial backer, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, as the Japanese conglomerate continues to expand into the sector."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-30-softbank-in-talks-to-invest-up-to-25-billion-into-openai-ft-reports/"
published: "2025-01-30T05:02:38"
updated: "2025-01-30T05:02:39"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 220
---

# SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion into OpenAI, FT reports

> Jan 29 (Reuters) - SoftBank 9984.T is in talks to invest up to $25 billion into ChatGPT owner OpenAI and become the AI firm's largest financial backer, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, as the Japanese conglomerate continues to expand into the sector.

By Reuters · Published 30 January 2025, 07:02 SAST · Updated 30 January 2025, 07:02 SAST

## Key points
- In a bid to outpace the competition in the AI arms race, SoftBank is reportedly ready to throw up to $25 billion at OpenAI, but with a cheeky little startup from China already shaking things up, one has to wonder if they're investing in the future or just buying a ticket to the wrong show.
- SoftBank plans to invest up to $25 billion in Microsoft-backed OpenAI, in addition to its existing $15 billion commitment to the Stargate venture.
- Stargate, a collaboration with Oracle and OpenAI, aims to invest $500 billion to maintain U.S. leadership in the AI sector against China.
- The initiative was announced at the White House by key figures including Donald Trump and SoftBank's Masayoshi Son.
- Meanwhile, Chinese startup DeepSeek disrupts the market with a cost-effective AI assistant, as SoftBank's stock drops over 12%.

## Content

SoftBank could invest $15 billion to $25 billion directly into Microsoft-backed OpenAI, apart from its $15 billion commitment to Stargate, the report said, citing sources.

Stargate is a joint venture by [Oracle](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3OI0KP&linkedFromStory=true)ORCL.N, OpenAI and Softbank, that plans to invest $500 billion to help the United States stay ahead of China and other rivals in the global AI race.

The venture was [announced](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL2N3OH11U&linkedFromStory=true) by U.S. President Donald Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison at the White House last week.

However, since then, a little-known startup from China, DeepSeek has [upended markets](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL2N3OO090&linkedFromStory=true) with a free artificial intelligence assistant it said was developed cheaply using lower-cost chips and less data than U.S. rivals.

SoftBank has fallen more than 12% since the selloff began.

SoftBank CEO Son's plan to take a large stake in OpenAI and meet its Stargate commitments has been vetted by senior executives and the board at OpenAI, the newspaper reported. Last year, SoftBank took a $1.5 billion [stake](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL3N3MY0DQ&linkedFromStory=true) in OpenAI.

OpenAI was [valued](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3LE0QZ&linkedFromStory=true) at $157 billion in its last funding round, cementing its status as one of the most valuable private companies in the world.

OpenAI and SoftBank did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona and Rashmi Aich)