OpenAI Considers IPO Amid Rising Operational Costs

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Dec 16, 2024
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OpenAI, an AI startup, is contemplating an IPO in 2025 to address soaring operational costs. The company gained rapid fame after launching ChatGPT in late 2022, reaching 200 million weekly active users by August 2024. Despite fast-growing revenues, OpenAI remains unprofitable due to high training and deployment costs, with estimated losses of $5 billion this year alone.

OpenAI has raised $17.9 billion, primarily from Microsoft (MSFT, Financial), averaging a funding round every 11 months. The company's projected cumulative losses are $44 billion from 2023 to 2028. Inspired by Tesla's (TSLA) successful IPO, OpenAI may leverage retail investor enthusiasm to secure financing.

Challenges include unconventional governance, but CEO Sam Altman is moving towards profitability. With a new CFO experienced in IPOs, OpenAI's public listing seems feasible, offering a pure AI investment opportunity.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.