OpenAI to Include Retail Investors in Forthcoming IPO
OpenAI, the San Francisco-based AI titan, announced on April 8, 2026, that it will reserve a portion of shares for individual retail investors in its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO). This news comes directly from the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Sarah Friar. Fresh off closing a record-breaking $122 billion funding round that valued the company at $852 billion, OpenAI is preparing for what could become one of the largest tech IPOs in history.
Friar revealed to CNBC that OpenAI tested retail investor appetite in its latest funding round and observed “really strong demand” from individuals. This resulted in more than $3 billion coming from individual investors. The company is eyeing an IPO as early as the fourth quarter of 2026, with reports suggesting a potential valuation nearing $1 trillion at listing.
The decision to include retail investors signifies a shift from traditional IPO structures where institutional investors usually dominate allocations. As of now, OpenAI generates approximately $25 billion in annualized revenue. By the end of 2026, enterprise customers are projected to represent 50% of the revenue. The company’s ChatGPT platform currently serves over 900 million weekly active users worldwide, solidifying its standing as the leader in consumer AI applications.
Source: CNBC