In a seismic move that could reshape the global AI power map, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon are reportedly in advanced discussions to invest a combined $60 billion in OpenAI.
According to a report by The Information on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, this massive capital injection is part of a broader $100 billion funding round aimed at valuing the ChatGPT maker at as much as $830 billion. If finalized, this would cement OpenAI as the world’s most valuable private startup, surpassing ByteDance.
1. The $60 Billion Breakdown
The proposed investment involves varying commitments from the three tech giants, each looking to secure its strategic position in the generative AI ecosystem.
| Investor | Potential Investment | Status/Role |
| Nvidia | Up to $30 Billion | Existing investor; primary supplier of AI chips (H200/B200). |
| Amazon | $10B – $20B+ | New investor; likely tied to a massive AWS cloud rental expansion. |
| Microsoft | Less than $10 Billion | Longstanding partner; already holding a major stake (~49%). |
2. Why the Sudden $100B Need?
The “staggering” scale of this funding round is driven by the astronomical costs of frontier model training and physical infrastructure:
- The $1.4 Trillion Roadmap: OpenAI has committed to spending over $1.4 trillion on AI infrastructure (data centers and energy) through 2030.
- Leasing Costs: OpenAI recently disclosed it will spend $38 billion over seven years to lease servers from Amazon Web Services (AWS), signaling a diversification away from its exclusive Microsoft Azure partnership.
- The “Stargate” Buildout: Much of this capital is earmarked for Project Stargate, a joint $500 billion initiative with SoftBank to build AI “super-clusters” across the United States.
3. Strategic “Quid Pro Quo” with Amazon
The most significant shift in this round is the entry of Amazon as a major backer. Analysts suggest Amazon’s $20 billion check is not just for equity, but includes:
- Cloud Neutrality: Breaking Microsoft’s exclusive hold on OpenAI’s hosting.
- Commercial Distribution: A deal for OpenAI to sell enterprise ChatGPT subscriptions directly through the Amazon/AWS Marketplace.
- Chip Diversification: Potential testing of OpenAI models on Amazon’s proprietary Trainium and Inferentia chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia.
4. SoftBank’s $30B “Follow-On”
Earlier this week, reports also confirmed that SoftBank Group is in talks to add another $30 billion to its stake.
- Current Holding: SoftBank already owns roughly 11% of OpenAI following a $41 billion investment completed in late 2025.
- Strategic Alignment: Masayoshi Son has positioned OpenAI at the center of SoftBank’s “AI-only” future, selling off Nvidia shares and other assets to fund this $100 billion round.
Conclusion: From Competition to Consolidation
By bringing the world’s biggest chipmaker (Nvidia) and the two largest cloud platforms (Microsoft and AWS) into the same cap table, OpenAI is effectively creating a “super-conglomerate” for AI infrastructure. While this funding secures OpenAI’s survival in the face of mounting research costs, it also invites intense antitrust scrutiny, as regulators in the US and EU are already investigating the “tightening grip” of Big Tech on the AI value chain.
