Jan 9 (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) is in talks to invest $10 billion into OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, which will value the San Francisco-based firm at $29 billion, Semafor reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The funding includes other venture firms and deal documents were sent to prospective investors in recent weeks, with the aim to close the round by the end of 2022, the report said.
Microsoft declined to comment, while OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
This follows a Wall Street Journal report that said OpenAI was in talks to sell existing shares at a roughly $29 billion valuation, with venture capital firms such as Thrive Capital and Founders Fund buying shares from existing shareholders.
OpenAI, founded by Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) CEO Elon Musk and investor Sam Altman, made the ChatGPT chatbot available for free public…