SoftBank and Nvidia Complete Final Tranches in OpenAI Funding Round
The final $10 billion payments fulfill respective $30 billion commitments to the ChatGPT maker, cementing major tech backing.
Key takeaways
- SoftBank Group executed its third and final $10 billion investment tranche in OpenAI on October 1, 2026, via SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
- Nvidia also closed its final $10 billion tranche as part of a combined $20 billion capital injection across both firms.
- SoftBank's cumulative investment in OpenAI has reached $64.6 billion, granting it an ownership interest of approximately 13%.
- SoftBank financed its final tranche using proceeds from an $11.1 billion foreign currency-denominated corporate bond issuance after retiring its earlier bridge loan facility.
SoftBank Group and Nvidia have completed their final $10 billion investment tranches into OpenAI, fulfilling their respective $30 billion commitments to the artificial intelligence company. According to a press release from SoftBank Group, the Japanese conglomerate executed its third $10 billion tranche on October 1, 2026, through SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Breaking The News reported that The Information cited a person familiar with the matter saying Nvidia similarly delivered its final $10 billion payment on the same day, resulting in a combined $20 billion capital injection into the ChatGPT developer.
The completion of these tranches concludes the multi-stage financing agreements originally struck earlier in the year.
Structure of the Funding and SoftBank's Stake
Under the terms finalized in February 2026, SoftBank agreed to deploy $30 billion into OpenAI across three separate $10 billion installments, according to Unite.AI. The initial tranche closed on April 1, 2026, followed by a second payment on July 1, 2026, and the final installment on October 1, 2026. The investment was priced at a pre-money valuation of $730 billion, acquiring preferred shares that convert automatically into common stock if OpenAI completes an initial public offering.
With the final payment completed, SoftBank's total cumulative investment in OpenAI stands at $64.6 billion, representing an ownership interest of approximately 13%, as reported by Dow Jones Newswires via Morningstar. Prior to this $30 billion follow-on program, SoftBank had previously directed $34.6 billion into OpenAI through Vision Fund 2 beginning in September 2024.
OpenAI's broader fundraising round secured $122 billion in aggregate commitments, valuing the Sam Altman-led firm at $852 billion, according to reporting by Reuters via The Star. The round was anchored by major industry partners including Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank.
Debt Restructuring and Bridge Facility Repayment
To manage the heavy capital requirements of the three tranches, SoftBank initially relied on a $40 billion uncollateralized bridge loan facility established in March 2026 with a syndicate of lenders including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and MUFG Bank, according to Unite.AI.
SoftBank subsequently moved to refinance the debt. On September 9, 2026, the firm announced plans to prepay its outstanding bridge balance of $25.9 billion on September 15. On September 24, 2026, SoftBank priced $11.1 billion in foreign currency-denominated senior notes across dollar and euro denominations with coupon rates ranging from 7.125% to 9.750%.
According to official disclosures, SoftBank used the proceeds from the bond offering to fund the final $10 billion payment to OpenAI. Effective September 30, 2026, SoftBank formally canceled the remaining $10 billion in undrawn bridge capacity, leaving all facility borrowings fully repaid and no outstanding undrawn commitments remaining under the agreement.
Strategic Importance for AI Development
SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son previously stated that the funding is intended to accelerate OpenAI's research while aligning with SoftBank's artificial superintelligence strategy, as reported by Unite.AI.
Frequently asked questions
How much has SoftBank invested in OpenAI to date?
SoftBank has invested a cumulative total of $64.6 billion in OpenAI, giving it an approximate 13% ownership stake.
What valuation was established during OpenAI's funding round?
The round was agreed at a pre-money valuation of $730 billion, with total funding commitments reaching $122 billion to value the company at $852 billion.
How did SoftBank finance the final $10 billion tranche?
SoftBank financed the final installment using proceeds from an $11.1 billion foreign currency senior notes offering issued in late September 2026, after repaying and canceling its $40 billion bridge facility.
Sources
- Execution of Follow-on Investment (Third Tranche) in OpenAI | SoftBank Group Corp.SoftBank Group Corp.
- SoftBank completes final phase of $30 billion investment in OpenAIThe Star · Oct 2, 2026
- Nvidia, Softbank put final $20B into OpenAI round - Breaking The Newsbreakingthenews.net
- SoftBank Group Invests Additional $10 Billion in OpenAIMorningstar, Inc. · Oct 1, 2026
- SoftBank Closes Third $10B OpenAI Tranche Using Senior Notes ProceedsUnite.AI · Oct 1, 2026
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Published October 2, 2026 at 00:11 UTC
