OpenAI eyes 2027 IPO to protect $1T valuation
What's the deal? OpenAI is leaning toward delaying its public debut until 2027, the New York Times reported, citing three people involved in the company's deliberations.
The AI startup has confidentially filed for a US initial public offering and is targeting a valuation of up to $1 trillion.
Advisers gave executives a choice: wait until 2027 for a $1 trillion listing, or lower the target for a quicker debut.
Chief executive officer Sam Altman called any cut to the trillion-dollar figure a non-starter. Chief financial officer Sarah Friar has told associates the company is aiming for 2027.
Why now? OpenAI faces fresh pressure beyond the IPO timing.
The Trump administration has asked it to stagger the release of its new model, GPT 5.6, over security concerns, a source told Reuters.
Altman told staff the model would launch in a limited preview to select partners, with the government approving access customer by customer, according to The Information.
The request came from the Office of the National Cyber Director and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
What could go wrong? Holding out for $1 trillion means betting that market conditions stay favourable into 2027.
A quicker listing at a lower price could lock in value now; waiting risks shifting sentiment around AI valuations.
The staggered model rollout also signals growing government scrutiny that could slow OpenAI's commercial momentum.
The signal: OpenAI is treating the $1 trillion mark as a line in the sand, prioritising headline valuation over speed.
The move shows how AI's biggest players now operate under direct government oversight — and how much weight a single number can carry in the race to define the market.
Read more: Reuters
