Microsoft remains the single largest shareholder, with 28% of the company, valued at approximately $140 billion. The close partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft has grown since their multibillion-dollar collaborations, cementing the tech giant’s influence over the AI firm’s trajectory.
OpenAI’s nonprofit parent entity follows closely with 27% ($135 billion), ensuring that the company’s original mission of prioritizing safety and long-term public benefit still retains substantial weight. Meanwhile, OpenAI employees collectively own 25% ($125 billion), reflecting the company’s strategy of rewarding and retaining top AI talent.
On the investor side, the most significant group is participants in the 2025 fundraise, who hold 13% ($65 billion). Smaller but still notable are investors from the 2024 fundraise with 4% ($20 billion), along with IO shareholders at 2% ($10 billion) and OpenAI’s earliest backers at 1% ($5 billion).
This ownership structure highlights a balance between big-tech partnership, nonprofit oversight, employee ownership, and venture capital backing. As OpenAI scales further in 2025 and beyond, the mix of stakeholders will play a pivotal role in shaping not only the company’s innovations but also the governance of AI at a global level.
| Stakeholder | Share |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | 28% ($140B) |
| OpenAI’s nonprofit | 27% ($135B) |
| OpenAI employees | 25% ($125B) |
| Investors (2025 fundraise) | 13% ($65B) |
| Investors (2024 fundraise) | 4% ($20B) |
| IO shareholders | 2% ($10B) |
| OpenAI’s first investors | 1% ($5B) |
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: FCC Considers Cutting Satellites Out of Environmental Oversight[2]
References
- ^ $500 billion valuation (www.reuters.com)
- ^ FCC Considers Cutting Satellites Out of Environmental Oversight (www.digitalinformationworld.com)