OpenAI has indicated that its long-anticipated public listing could arrive within the next year after CEO Sam Altman reportedly discussed a possible IPO timeline with employees.
Summary
- Sam Altman reportedly told employees that OpenAI could go public within a year after submitting a confidential IPO filing.
- OpenAI reported over 900 million weekly ChatGPT users and $2 billion in monthly revenue before the filing.
- OpenAI and Anthropic’s IPO plans are adding momentum to the AI IPO market as investors also await SpaceX’s public debut.
According to a Reuters report citing The Information, Altman told employees that OpenAI could go public within a year, although he emphasized that the timing remains subject to change.
The report said the company recently submitted a confidential draft registration statement to U.S. regulators, giving it the option to move ahead with an offering when market conditions and internal priorities align.
While discussing the filing, Altman reportedly said an early submission provides flexibility. Reuters reported that he described the process as a way to keep strategic options open, allowing OpenAI to accelerate plans if circumstances become favorable or delay them if remaining private offers more advantages.
Investor interest has intensified as OpenAI continues to post rapid growth. Earlier this year, the company disclosed that it was raising $110 billion at an $840 billion valuation, according to The Information. Backers in that financing round included SoftBank, Amazon, and Nvidia.
OpenAI enters IPO conversation after rapid growth
Recent operating figures have added to expectations surrounding a potential listing. OpenAI previously reported more than 900 million weekly ChatGPT users and over 50 million consumer subscribers. Those figures were released before the confidential filing became public.
Revenue growth has also accelerated. OpenAI said in March that it was generating approximately $2 billion in monthly revenue. The company had reported about $1 billion in quarterly revenue at the end of 2024, highlighting how quickly sales have expanded over a relatively short period.
According to The Information, OpenAI has also been preparing a tender offer for existing shares. Reports cited by Reuters indicated that shares in private transactions were trading near $687, while earlier reporting suggested the company could ultimately seek a valuation approaching $1 trillion in a public offering.
No official IPO terms, pricing details, or listing schedule have been disclosed.
Large AI listings are crowding the IPO calendar
OpenAI’s filing arrives as several high-profile artificial intelligence companies prepare for public market debuts. Earlier this month, OpenAI rival Anthropic also confidentially filed paperwork for an IPO, according to prior reports.
At the same time, attention remains fixed on SpaceX’s proposed public offering. As previously reported by crypto.news, Elon Musk’s aerospace company is pursuing a $75 billion IPO that could value the business at roughly $1.75 trillion, making it the largest public offering in U.S. history if completed. The offering is expected to begin trading as soon as Friday, June 12.
The deal has drawn criticism from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who urged the SEC to delay the listing over investor-protection and governance concerns.
Meanwhile, bankers cited by The Information said large AI offerings such as OpenAI and Anthropic could draw capital away from smaller IPO candidates. At the same time, they noted that successful debuts could encourage additional companies to enter the public market, creating a key test of investor demand for high-growth technology stocks.
