OpenAI has seen its reported valuation surge to $150 billion from $100 billion just two weeks ago, as funding talks with investors continue.
The latest valuation for the ChatGPT developer via sources cited by Bloomberg is up 50% from the amount mooted in a Wall Street Journal report in late August and up almost 75% from the valuation confirmed earlier this year of $86 billion.
The £6.5 billion funding round is reportedly led by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital, a three-time previous investor in OpenAI, with existing business partners and previous investors Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia also reported in recent weeks to be lining up to invest.
OpenAI, founded by CEO Sam Altman nine years ago, is also in talks with banks to raise a further $5 billion in debt.
The new funding is expected to support the startup's need for advanced computing power and operational expenses.
Previous reports have suggested that some employees are going to sell some of their shares later this year.