Key Highlights
- Total Investment: $30 billion
- Newly Approved: $22.5 billion second installment
- Condition: OpenAI must complete corporate restructuring for IPO
- Total Funding Round: $41 billion (including other investors)
- Previous Commitment: $10 billion in April 2025
- Reduced Contingency: Investment drops to $20 billion if restructuring fails
Introduction: SoftBank Deepens Its Bet on Artificial Intelligence
In a landmark funding move, SoftBank Group Corp has reportedly approved a $22.5 billion second tranche to complete its $30 billion investment in OpenAI, the U.S.-based artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT and GPT-5, according to The Information.
The decision, approved by the board, hinges on OpenAI’s progress in transitioning its corporate structure into a fully for-profit entity — a key step toward a future public offering.
If finalized, the transaction would make OpenAI one of the most heavily funded private tech firms in history, rivaling the valuations of SpaceX and Anthropic in the AI investment boom.
Softbank Deal Terms: Contingent on Restructuring and IPO Readiness
The investment forms part of a $41 billion financing round unveiled earlier this year. SoftBank had initially committed $10 billion in April and agreed to an additional $30 billion in December, conditional on OpenAI’s restructuring into a more traditional equity-based organization.
Under the latest approval, $22.5 billion will be released once OpenAI completes that transition. Should the restructuring not be finalized by year-end, SoftBank’s total commitment would drop to $20 billion, the report noted.
Neither SoftBank nor OpenAI immediately commented on the report, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the details.
Strategic Implications: Softbank Positioning for the AI Revolution
SoftBank’s deepening involvement underscores its renewed focus on artificial intelligence, following years of volatile tech investments through the Vision Fund.
After significant setbacks in companies like WeWork and OYO, the CEO Masayoshi Son has repositioned the group as a long-term AI investor, emphasizing “AI as the core of everything.”
OpenAI’s rapid scaling and commercialization of generative AI — including enterprise partnerships with Microsoft, Oracle, and AWS — have made it an ideal fit for the japanese comnapy’s global tech strategy.
OpenAI’s Path to a Public Listing
The planned restructuring would convert OpenAI’s current “capped-profit” model — which limits investor returns — into a structure more aligned with traditional capital markets.
Analysts expect the transition to simplify governance, allow clearer valuation metrics, and pave the way for an eventual IPO, likely in late 2026 or early 2027.
The move would also unlock greater liquidity for institutional investors like the company, while providing OpenAI with long-term capital to compete with rivals such as Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and xAI.
Global Context: The AI Arms Race Accelerates
The company’s renewed commitment comes amid a surge in AI-related dealmaking and national competition over AI dominance.
U.S. and Asian investors have poured unprecedented capital into foundational model developers, with global AI funding exceeding $120 billion in 2025, according to CB Insights.
By doubling down on OpenAI, SoftBank is asserting itself as a strategic bridge between U.S. innovation and Asian markets, potentially leveraging partnerships with firms like Arm Holdings — its semiconductor design subsidiary — to enable AI hardware integration.
Conclusion: SoftBank’s Bold Reentry into Tech Leadership
SoftBank’s $22.5 billion approval marks a defining moment in its return to large-scale tech investing. The deal underscores Masayoshi Son’s conviction that AI represents the next trillion-dollar transformation in global business.
If OpenAI completes its restructuring and moves toward a public listing, the investment could become one of SoftBank’s most profitable long-term bets — cementing its role at the center of the AI economy.
As global markets await OpenAI’s next steps, the partnership signals a deepening convergence of capital, computation, and corporate ambition shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
