OpenAI in talks with Middle East investors for $50B raise at $750B+ valuation
- ByStartupStory | January 23, 2026
OpenAI is in talks with investors in the Middle East as it looks to raise a major new funding round worth at least $50 billion.
According to the reports, the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, has been meeting with top sovereign wealth funds and other large investors, especially in the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi, to discuss the potential deal.
Valuation could be up to $830B
The talks are still in the early stages, and the amount could change, the report adds. People familiar with the discussions say OpenAI is targeting a valuation between $750 billion and $830 billion, though no final agreements have been announced.
OpenAI is known for its artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT and has spent heavily on developing large models, data centers, and computing infrastructure.
Raising new capital would help fund future technology work, including building more computing capacity and hiring engineers.
In addition to the Middle East meetings, Altman has also held separate talks with companies like Amazon about potential investments of at least $10 billion, according to earlier reports.
OpenAI has worked with Middle Eastern partners before. The company has been linked with groups such as G42, a technology investor based in the UAE, and MGX Fund Management, an Abu Dhabi-backed AI investment firm.
It remains unclear when the funding round might close, but some reports suggest it could happen in the first quarter of 2026.
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