OpenAI expects annualized revenue of $70 billion by end of 2026, sources say
In short
OpenAI expects its annualized revenue to reach or exceed $70 billion by the end of 2026, driven mainly by growth in its enterprise business, according to people familiar with the matter cited by CLS and 36Kr. The ChatGPT developer's annualized revenue was about $50 billion as of the end of September, the sources said.
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OpenAI expects its annualized revenue to reach or exceed $70 billion by the end of this year, with growth coming mainly from expansion of its enterprise business, CLS reported on October 9, citing people familiar with the matter. Yicai, 36Kr and Jiemian carried the same projection. The sources said the ChatGPT developer's annualized revenue was about $50 billion as of the end of September. Annualized revenue is a full-year sales figure projected from revenue over a shorter period. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the sources, OpenAI disclosed the figures to investors during its latest round of funding discussions. They declined to be named because the information is not public. OpenAI declined to comment, CLS reported. 36Kr attributed its report to Sina Finance. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The figures were reportedly shared with investors during OpenAI's latest round of funding discussions. Chinese business and tech outlets carried the report the same morning, with the sources pointing to enterprise business as the main driver of growth.
Key facts
- OpenAI expects annualized revenue to reach or exceed $70 billion by the end of this year, according to people familiar with the matter. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Growth is driven mainly by expansion of the enterprise business, the sources said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- OpenAI's annualized revenue was about $50 billion as of the end of September, according to the sources. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Annualized revenue is a full-year sales figure projected from revenue over a shorter period. [ 1 , 3 ]
- OpenAI disclosed the figures to investors during its latest round of funding discussions, the sources said. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The sources declined to be named because the information is not public. [ 1 , 3 ]
- OpenAI declined to comment, CLS reported. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether OpenAI will confirm the figures. The numbers come from unnamed people familiar with the matter, and OpenAI declined to comment, according to CLS.
- Details of the latest funding round in which the figures were shared. The documents do not give the size, timing or investors of the funding discussions.
- OpenAI's annualized revenue was about $50 billion at the end of September, according to people familiar with the matter. Reported by a single source so far
- The figures were disclosed to investors during OpenAI's latest funding discussions, according to the sources. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reports that OpenAI expects annualized revenue of $70 billion or more by year-end, citing people familiar with the matter. [ 1 ]
- Yicai carries the $70 billion projection. [ 2 ]
- 36Kr publishes the report, citing Sina Finance. [ 3 ]
- Jiemian reports the projection, noting it is driven mainly by enterprise business growth. [ 4 ]