The funding supports SoftBank’s $30 billion commitment to OpenAI as it expands AI infrastructure and robotics investments.
SoftBank Group obtained a $10 billion loan using its OpenAI stake, the company announced Thursday. The funds will help finance an additional $10 billion investment in OpenAI, completing a $30 billion commitment made earlier this year.
The loan, arranged by Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Apollo, and Japanese banks, is unusual for private startup investments, which typically rely on equity. SoftBank’s move reflects its aggressive push into AI, including data centers and robotics, with OpenAI as a cornerstone.
The deal coincides with SoftBank’s second-quarter earnings, signaling heightened risk amid broader AI spending. Banks rarely extend large loans backed by private, loss-making companies due to valuation uncertainties.