OpenAI targets 2027 for IPO, but CFO tells staff it could come sooner

OpenAI's Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told employees at a recent all-hands meeting that the company plans to go public in 2027, or earlier if business conditions allow, according to CNBC. She emphasized that an IPO is not a finish line but simply another stage in the company's growth and a new way to raise capital.

Friar also advised staff not to worry about rival Anthropic's faster IPO timeline. Anthropic is expected to file for an IPO as early as September or October, but Friar stressed that OpenAI is "running its own race." She framed the competitor's earlier move as irrelevant to OpenAI's strategy.

OpenAI's current valuation stands at $852 billion, and the company raised $122 billion in March, giving it significant financial flexibility. However, Friar noted that to justify such a high valuation, OpenAI must disclose more detailed financial information to investors. Without greater transparency, investors may be reluctant to continue funding the company's growth.

Internal data presented to employees showed strong momentum: overall revenue has grown 35% since the start of the current quarter, while corporate segment revenue surged 50%. Developer tools also posted significant gains. The company's financial health, Friar argued, supports the case for a public offering within the next few years, even as it faces pressure from competitors and investors alike.