OpenAI CEO Sam Altman isn’t backing down from questions about his company’s financial future. During a November 1 appearance on the Bg2 podcast with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Altman confidently revealed that OpenAI’s annual revenue is “well more” than the previously reported $13 billion, silencing skeptics who have raised doubts about how the company plans to fund its massive AI infrastructure investments.
Altman’s spirited defense came as the conversation turned toward OpenAI’s staggering $1.4 trillion commitment to computing infrastructure over the next decade — including $250 billion dedicated to Microsoft’s Azure cloud services. When host Brad Gerstner questioned whether OpenAI could sustain such heavy spending relative to its revenue, Altman’s response was sharp and unfiltered:
“First of all, we’re doing well more revenue than that,” he said. “Second of all, Brad, if you want to sell your shares, I’ll find you a buyer.”
OpenAI’s Billion-Dollar Partnership and Growth Ambitions
Microsoft’s Nadella, who laughed through parts of Altman’s fiery exchange, stood firmly by OpenAI, calling the company’s performance “exceptional.” According to Nadella, OpenAI has “beaten every business plan” presented to Microsoft since the tech giant’s $13 billion investment, which now translates into a 27% stake valued at around $135 billion following OpenAI’s restructuring.
This strategic partnership has not only given OpenAI the financial muscle to build massive computing power but also strengthened its position in the global AI race. Yet despite the company’s rapid growth, Altman made it clear that an IPO isn’t on the immediate horizon.
“No, no, no — we don’t have anything that specific,” he said, dismissing rumors of a near-term public listing. “I’m a realist; I assume it will happen someday, but we don’t have a date or a board decision.”
Still, insiders believe OpenAI is laying the groundwork for what could be one of the largest IPOs in history — possibly targeting a $1 trillion valuation as early as 2026. The company’s recent shift to a public benefit corporation model has opened the door to more flexible capital-raising options, further fueling speculation.
Aiming for $100 Billion, Or Sooner
During the podcast, when Gerstner suggested OpenAI might reach $100 billion in annual revenue by 2028 or 2029, Altman didn’t hesitate to counter with bold optimism:
“How about ‘27?”
That confident response hints that OpenAI’s internal projections are far more ambitious than what analysts currently predict. With products like ChatGPT, GPT-5, and enterprise AI integrations driving adoption at scale, Altman’s forecast doesn’t seem far-fetched.
His recent remarks reflect a deeper frustration with persistent skepticism about OpenAI’s finances. “There are not many times I want to be a public company,” Altman admitted, “but one of the rare times it’s appealing is when people write those ridiculous ‘OpenAI is about to go out of business’ posts.”
As OpenAI continues to expand its AI capabilities and infrastructure partnerships, Altman’s defiant tone sends a clear message: the company is not just surviving, it’s thriving. And if his words are anything to go by, OpenAI’s financial story is only just getting started.
