OpenAI in talks on share sale that would price it at more than Musk’s SpaceX

If transaction goes ahead value of ChatGPT developer would rise to $500bn

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OpenAI is reportedly in early talks about a sale of shares held by current and former employees that would price the ChatGPT developer at half a trillion dollars, overtaking Elon Musk’s SpaceX in valuation.

If the transaction goes ahead, the value of the San Francisco-based company would rise by about two-thirds, from $300bn (£225bn). The valuation would exceed that of Musk’s rocket company, which is currently worth $350bn and is reportedly circling a $400bn price tag in a new fundraising.

Bloomberg, which first reported the OpenAI talks, said existing investors, including Thrive Capital, have approached the company about buying employee shares. Other investors in OpenAI include the Japanese investment firm SoftBank, which led the $300bn financing, and Microsoft.