When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
Apple and Nvidia are exploring investments in OpenAI’s latest multibillion-dollar funding round, joining Microsoft and Thrive Capital. This could value OpenAI at over $100B.
OpenAI’s latest fundraising has garnered interest from the top three tech giants, emphasizing the startup’s critical role in AI. Nvidia, the world’s largest chipmaker, is in talks to join this funding, which could push OpenAI’s valuation above $100 billion.
Apple and Microsoft are also reportedly exploring participation, according to Bloomberg sources. This potential investment would further solidify their relationships with a critical partner in the ongoing race to dominate the artificial intelligence landscape.
Thrive Capital is spearheading a multibillion-dollar funding round for OpenAI, contributing around $1 billion. Microsoft is expected to join, and Nvidia is considering an investment of about $100 million. Details about how much Apple and Microsoft will contribute still need to be clarified.
OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking ChatGPT, could secure backing from three major tech giants if the discussions proceed. This would bolster its position as one of the world’s most valuable startups backed by venture capital. OpenAI plans to utilize the new funds to enhance its computing infrastructure and support ongoing operational expenses.
Microsoft and Apple’s Partnerships with OpenAI
Each company has increasingly relied on OpenAI in recent years. As the main strategic investor, Microsoft holds a 49% share of its profits after investing around $13 billion since 2019. The tech giant has closely integrated OpenAI’s technologies into its Copilot AI and Windows platforms, betting these advancements will drive its growth.
Apple, which entered the AI space later than its competitors, announced OpenAI as the first official partner for Apple Intelligence, its initiative to embed AI throughout the OS. This collaboration aims to enhance Siri, offer text proofreading, and create custom emojis. While Apple will handle some AI tasks with its technology, it will rely on OpenAI’s ChatGPT for more complex functions, such as generating written messages.
Apple’s potential investment in OpenAI reflects its commitment to accessing top AI technology amidst fierce competition. In addition to OpenAI, Apple is considering partnerships with Google’s Gemini, Meta Platforms, and AI startups like Anthropic and Perplexity.
While Apple usually avoids startup investments, it has made exceptions, such as $1 billion investments in Chinese ride-hailing service DiDi Chuxing in 2016 and $1 billion more in Japan’s SoftBank’s Vision Fund in 2017. Apple is also ramping up its own AI capabilities and is expected to showcase new tools at its next iPhone event.
Nvidia and OpenAI Collaboration
Nvidia, a top chipmaker for AI models like ChatGPT, has sustained a close partnership with OpenAI. The company is a major player in producing AI accelerators, experiencing substantial sales growth over the past two years. Recently, it has significantly invested in the AI sector, backing companies like Inflection AI and Databricks, along with smaller startups specializing in AI drug discovery and robotics.
Nvidia’s latest quarterly report, released on August 28, showed revenue exceeding $30 billion and forecasted even higher sales.? Despite a subsequent drop in Nvidia stock prices, most analysts expect this decline to be temporary.
The growing power of Big Tech in AI is attracting regulatory attention, with concerns about Nvidia’s chip dominance and Microsoft’s close ties with OpenAI.
