OpenAI Pre IPO Profile
OpenAI has emerged as a leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company, gaining worldwide attention through its groundbreaking ChatGPT platform. OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company with a dual focus on developing foundational AI models and responsibly deploying them across various applications. As a private company, OpenAI is not publicly traded, and direct investment opportunities are limited compared to a public company. For investors looking to buy OpenAI stock or invest in OpenAI’s growth, the company represents a unique opportunity in the AI sector, with a recent valuation of $157 billion and significant backing from tech giants like Microsoft. Investing in Microsoft stock gives investors indirect exposure to OpenAI due to their close business relationship. OpenAI operates under a hybrid structure, with a for profit entity (OpenAI LP) controlled by the non profit OpenAI Inc., which means individual investors cannot invest directly in non profit OpenAI Inc. The company’s rapid growth and technological breakthroughs have made it one of the most sought-after private investment opportunities in the AI industry. OpenAI is not a public company and OpenAI is not publicly traded.
Company Overview
Founded: 2015
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Industry: Artificial Intelligence
Total Funding: $20.6 billion
Current Valuation: $157 billion
Employee Count: 201-500
Website: www.openai.com
Highlights for OpenAI
Achieved $1.6 billion in ARR (December 2023)
Recent $6.6 billion funding round at $157 billion valuation (Thrive Capital was a major participant in this funding)
Massive user adoption with 100M monthly active users within two months of launch
Strategic partnership with Microsoft, with OpenAI's growth being supported by major investors and partners
Leading position in generative AI technology
Strong product portfolio including ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Whisper
Product & Technology
Core Products to Understand
OpenAI's technology is at the forefront of generative AI, driving innovation and shaping the broader AI industry through its advanced products and strategic partnerships.
ChatGPT
Advanced conversational AI platform
Rapid user adoption
Enterprise and consumer applications
Premium subscription model
Built on ongoing AI research and the development of advanced AI systems
DALL·E
AI-powered image generation
Multiple resolution options
Enterprise API integration
Usage-based pricing model (at time of publication):
1024×1024: $0.020/image
512×512: $0.018/image
256×256: $0.016/image
Whisper
Advanced speech recognition system
Multiple pricing tiers (at time of publication):
Ada (Fastest): $0.0004/1K tokens
Babbage: $0.0005/1K tokens
Curie: $0.0020/1K tokens
Davinci (Most powerful): $0.0200/1K tokens
Technology Stack
Advanced language models, including OpenAI's models integrated into a wide range of applications and collaborations
Neural networks
Distributed computing infrastructure
Cloud-based deployment
Enterprise API infrastructure
First-mover advantage in generative AI
Strong research and development capabilities, with a focus on AI research in machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning
Significant Microsoft backing
Robust API ecosystem
Industry-leading model performance
Commitment to safe AI development, prioritizing safety, fairness, and transparency in AI systems
Competitive Advantages
First-mover advantage in generative AI
Strong research and development capabilities
Significant Microsoft backing
Robust API ecosystem
Industry-leading model performance
Market Opportunity
OpenAI’s market opportunity extends across the entire artificial intelligence value chain, addressing a global AI market valued at $93.5 billion in 2021. The company’s opportunity is particularly significant in three key areas: enterprise AI integration, developer tools and APIs, and consumer AI applications. The rapid adoption of ChatGPT, reaching 100 million monthly active users within two months of launch, demonstrates the massive untapped demand for accessible AI solutions. The enterprise opportunity is especially promising, as companies increasingly seek to integrate AI capabilities into their operations. The API business model allows OpenAI to capture value across multiple sectors simultaneously, from content creation and customer service to software development and data analysis. As AI adoption accelerates across industries, OpenAI’s position as a leading provider of both consumer and enterprise AI solutions positions it to capture a significant share of this expanding market. Investing in NVIDIA stock offers indirect exposure to OpenAI, as NVIDIA provides the hardware that powers OpenAI's AI models. OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity, with a focus on safe, fair, and transparent AI development. The advancement of artificial general intelligence benefits both society and investors by driving technological innovation, creating new investment opportunities, and shaping future market trends.
Strategic partnerships, including joint ventures with major tech companies such as Oracle and SoftBank, are enabling OpenAI to expand its AI infrastructure and technological reach. These collaborations involve substantial investments and are critical for scaling capacity and supporting continued innovation in the AI sector.
Market Size
Global AI market valued at $93.5 billion (2021)
Rapid growth in enterprise AI adoption
Expanding use cases across industries
Growing demand for AI solutions
Industry Trends
Increasing enterprise AI integration
Rising demand for automation solutions
Growing focus on AI safety and ethics
Expansion of AI applications
Financial Overview
Annual Recurring Revenue: $1.6 billion (December 2023)
FY 2022: $35 million revenue
Significant growth trajectory
Multiple revenue streams through API and direct services
Funding History and Investment Rounds
OpenAI’s funding journey demonstrates exceptional growth and investor confidence. Starting from a modest seed round, the company has seen its valuation skyrocket from $29 billion in early 2023 to $157 billion by late 2024—a more than 5x increase in under two years. The company’s later-stage rounds have been particularly notable for their size, with its most recent raise securing $10.6 billion including a $4 billion credit line. As of August 2025, OpenAI had 700 million weekly users and was generating more than $12 billion in annualized revenue. Fund marks from these primary funding rounds and secondary trading data provide historical pricing and funding information for investors tracking OpenAI’s valuation over time.
As a privately held company, OpenAI does not have a public stock price. Instead, OpenAI's stock price and overall valuation are estimated based on recent funding rounds and secondary market activity. In secondary marketplaces, market activity such as the highest bid, lowest ask, and last matched price can offer additional insight into the current perceived value of OpenAI shares.
Pre-IPO shares of OpenAI are typically traded in private markets, often facilitated through a secondary marketplace. Accredited investors can participate in these transactions, gaining access to private company shares before a potential IPO. Pre-IPO shares are illiquid and considered a very long-term investment. When buying or selling private shares, it is important to work with a registered broker or registered broker dealer to ensure compliance with securities regulations and to provide legitimacy to the transaction.
Selling securities, including selling shares or selling pre-IPO shares, involves careful consideration of company bylaws, which may restrict or govern the transfer of shares. Shareholders should review these agreements and consult with professionals to understand the process and any legal or contractual limitations when seeking liquidity in the private markets.
Leadership Team
Sam Altman, CEO and Cofounder
Experienced technology leader
Background in private equity and investment
Economics degree from Amherst College
MBA from Stanford
Greg Brockman, President and Chairman
Former CTO of Stripe
Strong technical background
Studies at Harvard and MIT
Brad Lightcap, COO
Former Strategic Finance at Dropbox
Investment banking background
Economics and History from Duke University
Additional Considerations
Growth Drivers
Expanding enterprise adoption
New product development
International market expansion
Strategic partnerships
API ecosystem growth
OpenAI's ability to raise capital and expand operations is enhanced by its corporate structure, supporting further growth and flexibility.
Risks and Challenges
Intense competition in AI sector, with many active companies and most active companies such as SpaceX, Figure AI, and Cerebras Systems increasing market competition
Regulatory uncertainty
Technical infrastructure costs
Talent acquisition and retention
AI safety considerations
Future Outlook
Continued product innovation
Enterprise market expansion
International growth
New partnership opportunities
Potential public market consideration
Recent News & Updates
October 2024: Raised $6.6 billion at $157 billion valuation
Secured $4 billion credit line
September 2023: Employee share sale at $86 billion valuation
Continuous product innovations and improvements
OpenAI stands at the forefront of artificial intelligence research as a privately held company, driving innovation in AI models and systems that are shaping the future of technology. Renowned for its commitment to advancing artificial intelligence for the benefit of all, OpenAI’s mission centers on developing safe, transparent, and fair AI solutions that can be deployed across a wide range of industries. The organization conducts research and builds advanced AI models—such as the widely recognized ChatGPT—that are transforming how businesses and individuals interact with technology.
As a leader in AI innovation, OpenAI’s technology is powering breakthroughs in natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning, enabling new efficiencies and capabilities in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education. The company promotes the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible and equitable.
For accredited investors and shareholders worldwide seeking to gain access to OpenAI stock, the private market offers several pathways. Secondary marketplaces and trusted platforms specializing in private company stock provide liquidity solutions, allowing investors to buy and sell OpenAI shares prior to any potential OpenAI IPO. Additionally, tailored investment opportunities through venture capital funds or private equity vehicles enable investors to participate in OpenAI’s growth alongside other leading pre-IPO companies.
Investing in private companies like OpenAI carries unique risks, including limited liquidity, less regulatory oversight, and the potential for total loss of investment. It is essential for accredited investors to conduct thorough due diligence, review shareholder agreements, and consult with financial professionals to develop an informed investment strategy based on their own assessment of OpenAI’s growth prospects and past performance.
Rainmaker Securities, LLC (“RMS”) is a FINRA (FINRA.org) registered broker-dealer and SIPC (SIPC.org) member. Find this broker-dealer and its agents at brokercheck.finra.org. Our relationship summary can be found at rainmakersecurities.com/disclosures.
RMS is engaged by its clients to make referrals to buyers or sellers of private securities (“Securities”). If such client closes a Securities transaction with a buyer or seller so referred, RMS is entitled to a success fee from the client. Such success fee may be in the form of cash or in warrants to purchase securities of the client or client’s affiliate. RMS or RMS representatives may hold equity in its issuer clients or in the issuers of securities purchased or sold by the parties to a transaction.
This communication is confidential and is addressed only to its intended recipient. This communication does not represent an offer or solicitation to buy or sell Securities. Such an offer must be made via definitive legal documentation by the seller of securities.