$40 Billion Loan: SoftBank Reloads To Chase OpenAI Gold Rush

SoftBank Group Corp. (OTC:SFTBY) (OTC:SFTBF) said Friday it has secured a $40 billion bridge loan to fund investments in ChatGPT maker OpenAI and support general corporate needs, underscoring its deepening push into artificial intelligence. SoftBank said the unsecured loan will mature in March 2027. It was arranged with lenders including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, and MUFG Bank. The company said borrowings under the Bridge Facility Agreement are expected to be repaid in phases by the maturity date, using a combination of existing assets and additional financing. OpenAI Growth and Emerging Risks Against this backdrop of rising investment and expanding partnerships, OpenAI is also flagging potential risks tied to its current operating model. The company warned investors that its heavy dependence on Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) for "a substantial portion of our financing and compute" could pose a business risk, according to a document tied to its latest funding round. As OpenAI scales rapidly, the concentration of infrastructure and funding with a single partner is becoming a key consideration. The company, which recently secured $110 billion in funding and is seeking an additional $10 billion, said its future performance depends on diversifying partners beyond Microsoft. OpenAI also cited rising compute costs, potential chip supply disruptions, and ongoing litigation as key risks, offering a preview of disclosures ahead of a possible IPO. Despite these concerns, growth remains strong. OpenAI has surpassed $25 billion in annualized revenue as of last month, up from $21.4 billion a year earlier, according to a recent report. However, the company continues to face heavy spending, with compute costs projected to reach about $600 billion through 2030. Image via Shutterstock