Japanese technology investor SoftBank is preparing to execute a $22.5 billion financing commitment for artificial intelligence company OpenAI before the end of the year. The move is part of the group’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading global player in the development and control of advanced AI technologies. To raise the funds, SoftBank is considering selling portfolio assets and securing loans backed by its stake in Arm Holdings, the chip designer that represents one of the group’s most valuable assets.
Under the current plan, the capital would be transferred to OpenAI before the end of 2025, in line with previously announced commitments. In April, SoftBank pledged to invest up to $30 billion in OpenAI following the AI startup’s transition to a for-profit company in October. At that time, OpenAI was valued at approximately $300 billion, giving SoftBank a strategic position in one of the most influential AI projects worldwide.
Since then, expectations around OpenAI’s valuation have continued to rise. Internal sources suggest that a new funding round could push the company’s valuation to nearly $900 billion, potentially delivering a significant paper gain for SoftBank and reinforcing CEO Masayoshi Son’s belief that artificial intelligence will be the dominant economic force of the coming decades.
To support its ambitious AI strategy, SoftBank has already taken major steps, including the sale of its stake in chipmaker Nvidia, and is now preparing the initial public offering of its digital payments app PayPay. The IPO, expected in the first quarter of next year, could raise more than $20 billion, providing additional liquidity for further AI investments.
Through these moves, SoftBank is signaling its willingness to reshape its portfolio and take substantial risks in order to place itself at the center of the global AI revolution, betting that OpenAI and Arm will become foundational pillars of the future technology ecosystem.
