January 31, 2026
Finance

Nvidia’s Planned $100 Billion Investment in OpenAI Faces Internal Reevaluation

Semiconductor leader reassesses scale of strategic funding amid concerns and industry competition

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Summary

Nvidia Corporation's ambitious plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI has encountered internal scrutiny, leading to a reassessment of the deal's size and structure. Originally intended to dramatically expand OpenAI’s data center capabilities and secure advanced AI chip access, the proposal now appears to be scaled back amid concerns over financial discipline and increasing competition in the AI sector. Discussions are ongoing for a reduced equity stake as OpenAI seeks substantial capital for its growth initiatives.

Key Points

Nvidia’s initial plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI has been reconsidered due to internal concerns about the scale and structure of the deal.
Discussions are ongoing for a considerably smaller equity investment by Nvidia, possibly in the tens of billions, as part of OpenAI’s current fundraising round.
OpenAI aims to raise up to $100 billion at a valuation near $830 billion, attracting interest from major tech companies and investors including SoftBank and Amazon.
OpenAI’s annualized revenue is expected to exceed $20 billion in 2025, reflecting rapid growth amid high operating costs and losses.
In a significant development within the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, Nvidia Corporation, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, is reportedly reevaluating its proposal to inject as much as $100 billion into OpenAI. This shift follows internal reservations raised by Nvidia executives about the original investment’s magnitude and framework. The reassessment underscores the complexities involved in major corporate collaborations amid the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Back in September, Nvidia had publicized its intention to form a strategic partnership with OpenAI through a potential equity investment reaching up to $100 billion. This financing was poised to bolster OpenAI’s expansion of data center infrastructure and concurrently ensure Nvidia’s supply of cutting-edge AI processors. The envisaged alliance aimed to fortify the bond between the two organizations at a pivotal moment for AI technology development.

However, individuals with insight into the situation have indicated that Nvidia and OpenAI are now reconsidering the dimensions of their partnership. Current deliberations reportedly involve a considerably smaller equity infusion, potentially amounting to several tens of billions of dollars, structured as a component of OpenAI’s ongoing fundraising initiatives.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Nvidia reaffirmed the company’s longstanding relationship with OpenAI, noting that Nvidia has been the AI developer’s preferred partner for over a decade and expressing anticipation for continued collaboration. OpenAI has yet to provide comment on the current status of the discussions.

Behind this revision, Nvidia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, has communicated privately that the initial $100 billion proposal was nonbinding and had not been crystallized into a finalized agreement. Huang also conveyed reservations regarding OpenAI’s financial management, particularly highlighting concerns about substantial expenditures linked to rapid scaling of infrastructure.

Moreover, Huang emphasized the increasingly competitive terrain in AI, naming notable rivals such as Alphabet Inc., which operates Google, and Anthropic, a company backed by Amazon. These competitors are intensifying the race for AI advancements and strategic partnerships, potentially influencing Nvidia’s cautious reassessment.

The ongoing negotiations coincide with OpenAI’s ambitious capital raising efforts. The AI startup is reportedly targeting up to $100 billion in funding at an estimated valuation approaching $830 billion. This fundraising drive reflects both the massive financial requirements for AI technology development and the high investor interest in the sector.

Major technology corporations and investment entities are actively seeking to deepen connections with OpenAI. For instance, SoftBank Group has shown interest among several others hoping to leverage strategic partnerships to maintain a competitive advantage in the global AI market. Additionally, Amazon is understood to be negotiating a substantial investment into OpenAI, possibly as high as $50 billion, demonstrating the intense focus on cultivating strong AI capabilities.

Financially, OpenAI’s growth trajectory has been remarkable. The company recently reported that its annualized revenue run rate is projected to surpass $20 billion in 2025. This figure marks a significant acceleration from 2024, when revenue surged from $6 billion to $20 billion, and illustrates a more than tenfold rise compared to 2023’s $2 billion. Despite this rapid expansion, OpenAI is reportedly incurring operating losses exceeding $17 billion annually, with subscription revenues alone potentially inadequate to offset the costs associated with its compute-intensive AI workloads.

Market reactions to the Nvidia news included a modest dip in after-hours trading, with the stock falling 0.49% to $190.20. Notwithstanding this pullback, Nvidia continues to earn a strong Quality rating according to Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings, benefiting from positive price trends across short, medium, and long-term intervals.

The evolving narrative around Nvidia’s investment in OpenAI illustrates the challenges of aligning corporate strategy, financial stewardship, and competitive positioning within the AI sector, which is marked by rapid innovation and significant capital demands. Both companies remain central players in the artificial intelligence domain, and their partnership decisions will likely have far-reaching implications for technological advancement and industry dynamics in the coming years.
Risks
  • Internal doubts at Nvidia regarding OpenAI’s financial discipline and deal structure could delay or alter the investment.
  • The highly competitive AI industry, with rivals like Alphabet and Amazon-backed Anthropic, may impact OpenAI’s valuation and Nvidia’s strategic decisions.
  • OpenAI’s substantial operating losses and heavy spending on infrastructure pose financial sustainability challenges.
  • The scale and timing of large investments remain uncertain amid ongoing negotiations and market conditions.
Disclosure
Education only / not financial advice
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