OpenAI has completed a $7 billion share buyback from current and former employees ahead of a potential initial public offering, according to livemint.com. The transaction valued the company at $852 billion, consistent with its most recent funding round. This move allows employees to cash out shares before the company’s possible Wall Street debut.
The buyback was conducted internally by OpenAI, which repurchased shares directly from employees rather than seeking outside investors for the tender offer, livemint.com reported. Two unnamed sources familiar with the matter confirmed the details, emphasizing that the information is not yet public. This internal transaction is notable given the company’s private status and the scale of the buyback.
This $7 billion employee liquidity event is significant in the context of OpenAI’s anticipated IPO, marking one of the largest share buybacks by a private AI startup. The $852 billion valuation places OpenAI among the most valuable private technology companies globally. The deal reflects growing investor and employee interest in capitalizing on the company’s rapid growth and AI market leadership.
OpenAI’s share buyback precedes its potential IPO, which remains unconfirmed but is closely watched by market participants. The company’s valuation and liquidity move set a benchmark for private AI firms preparing for public listings. The $7 billion transaction was reported on August 11, 2026, by livemint.com.