OpenAI CFO says AI lab will be public company in 2027

OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told employees at an August 19 all-hands meeting that the company plans to launch an IPO in 2027, contingent on continued business momentum, after confidentially filing an S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in June 2026. Internal discussion of a late-2026 listing was shelved to allow more preparation time as OpenAI completes a governance shift from its nonprofit origins toward a for-profit structure able to reward investors and employees with equity. Friar framed the IPO as another fundraising milestone rather than a finish line, saying a $122 billion March 2026 raise at an $852 billion post-money valuation gives OpenAI flexibility on timing. The company is running at a $2 billion monthly revenue rate, implying about $24 billion annualized if sustained, while other figures tied to the same internal update cited $6.7 billion in second-quarter revenue, an annualized run rate above $40 billion, and strong enterprise growth; enterprise services now exceed 40% of revenue and are expected to match the consumer share by the end of 2026. Friar, formerly CEO of Nextdoor and CFO at Square, also told staff not to worry if Anthropic lists first, as investors weigh margins, compute costs, and earlier reports of widening operating losses.