OpenAI to allow employees and shareholders to sell shares at $500 billion valuation

Artificial intelligence startup OpenAI is in early-stage talks for a potential secondary share sale that could value it at $500 billion.

The $500 billion valuation represents a significant jump from the previously reported $300 billion valuation.

On August 6, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI would consider setting up a secondary share sale program for current and former employees.

Wednesday's report comes just days after the AI giant said the number of weekly active users of its flagship product, ChatGPT, reached 700 million this week, up from approximately 500 million in March.

Last week, the company secured $8.3 billion in new funding from a range of major investors as part of a $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank (OTC:SFTBY).

However, other reports suggest OpenAI and SoftBank are having difficulty advancing their Stargate project. The company's cash burn is expected to increase further in 2025.