SoftBank Pumps Another $10 Billion Into OpenAI

The investment, executed through SoftBank Vision Fund 2, represents approximately 1.63 trillion yen. To finance this latest move, SoftBank utilized a $10 billion loan drawn from a bridge facility agreement originally signed on March 27. The company intends to finalize the third and final $10 billion installment by October 1, 2026, though this timeline could accelerate should OpenAI proceed with an initial public offering before that date.

This capital injection arrives amid heightened investor scrutiny regarding OpenAI’s path to the public markets. SoftBank shares previously dropped over 12% in Tokyo following reports that OpenAI might delay its IPO until 2027 to protect a potential $1 trillion valuation. While a deferred listing does not alter SoftBank’s ownership stake, it forces investors to wait longer for a market-based valuation of the AI firm. For now, SoftBank functions as a public-market proxy for OpenAI, with the company’s valuation—estimated at nearly $830 billion during earlier funding discussions—remaining the central driver of Masayoshi Son’s broader AI strategy.