OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company’s annual revenue is “well more” than the widely cited $13 billion estimate, pushing back against concerns about its ability to fund large-scale infrastructure investments exceeding $1 trillion.
Speaking on the Bg2 podcast on November 1 alongside Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Altman addressed speculation about OpenAI’s financial position and long-term sustainability. Host Brad Gerstner questioned how OpenAI could meet its massive computing infrastructure commitments given its reported revenue levels, prompting a sharp response from Altman.
“First of all, we’re doing well more revenue than that,” Altman said. “Second of all, Brad, if you want to sell your shares, I’ll find you a buyer. I just – enough.”
Financial Scrutiny and Growth Outlook
The exchange reflects growing public attention on OpenAI’s finances as the company pursues an aggressive buildout of computing resources. OpenAI has committed roughly $1.4 trillion toward infrastructure over the next decade, including $250 billion in Azure cloud services from Microsoft.
Altman also addressed speculation about OpenAI’s financial health, dismissing reports suggesting instability. “One of the few times I wish we were public is when people write those ‘OpenAI is about to go out of business’ stories,” he said. “I’d love for them to short the stock and see how that goes.”
When Gerstner suggested OpenAI might reach $100 billion in annual revenue by 2028 or 2029, Altman replied, “How about ’27?”, indicating the company’s internal projections anticipate faster growth than external forecasts.
Microsoft Endorsement and IPO Speculation
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who has overseen Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in OpenAI, said the company has “beaten every business plan” it presented to Microsoft. Following OpenAI’s corporate restructuring, Microsoft now holds a 27% stake in the company, valued at about $135 billion.
Altman denied reports of an imminent initial public offering, stating, “No, we don’t have anything that specific… I assume it will happen someday, but there’s no date or board decision.”
However, recent reports suggest OpenAI is preparing for a potential IPO as early as late 2026, with analysts projecting a possible valuation approaching $1 trillion. The company’s conversion into a public benefit corporation earlier this year has given it greater flexibility to raise capital while maintaining its mission-oriented structure.
