SoftBank in Talks to Invest Up to $25 Billion in OpenAI

SoftBank Group Corp. is in discussions to invest as much as $25 billion in OpenAI, potentially making it the AI startup’s biggest backer. The two companies are in early talks that could see the Japanese investment firm put in between $15 billion and $25 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter. This investment would be in addition to the $15 billion that Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank has committed to Project Stargate, the Texas-based joint venture with OpenAI to build data centers and other AI infrastructure.

Son stood alongside OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman when US President Donald Trump announced the Stargate venture this month, and the two CEOs have been in contact for many years over their shared interest in advancing artificial intelligence development. Together, they plan to deploy $100 billion initially and invest as much as $500 billion over four years in Project Stargate.

Tech industry players including Elon Musk have questioned the lack of details around Stargate and its financing. The xAI founder expressed doubt whether companies that joined Trump’s announcement could follow through on their financial commitments. An OpenAI representative declined to comment and a SoftBank spokesperson did not immediately respond. The Financial Times first reported the talks were in progress.