OpenAI Reportedly Plans to Confidentially File for IPO Within Weeks

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the matter, OpenAI, the manufacturer of ChatGPT, is preparing to confidentially file for an initial public offering (IPO) within the next few weeks, with the earliest possible submission of a draft prospectus to regulators as soon as this Friday. This move comes just two days after the company defeated a survival challenge initiated by Elon Musk, and it could place OpenAI’s IPO ahead of Musk’s SpaceX.

It is reported that OpenAI has hired Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to assist in drafting the prospectus, targeting a potential listing as early as September 2026. In earlier preliminary discussions, the company planned to launch the IPO with a funding round of no less than $60 billion, aiming for a total valuation of up to $1 trillion, a significant increase from its October 2025 valuation of $852 billion. If successful, this would be one of the most anticipated tech IPOs in recent years.

Analysts point out that OpenAI’s transformation from a non-profit organization to a commercial powerhouse is accelerating, and the timing of this IPO underscores its determination to compete and solidify its leadership in the AI space. However, the market will need to monitor regulatory approvals and the evolving compliance risks within the AI industry. The final pricing and timeline of this century-defining IPO will become a core focus for tech investors in the coming months.