Key facts
- OpenAI spent $34 billion last year, with $19 billion on R&D.
- OpenAI spent nearly $6 billion on sales and marketing and other costs last year.
- OpenAI burned $3.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026.
- OpenAI's Q1 2026 revenue was $5.7 billion.
- OpenAI has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO.
- A source said OpenAI's IPO could come as early as September and value the company up to $1 trillion.
OpenAI spent $34 billion last year, with approximately $19 billion allocated to research and development and nearly $6 billion to sales and marketing and other expenses, according to audited financial figures reported by the Financial Times. The company has since burned through $3.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, more than half of its $5.7 billion in revenue, The Information reported, citing documents shared with shareholders.
These figures emerge as OpenAI prepares for a potential initial public offering, having confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO that a source said could come as early as September and value the company at up to $1 trillion. OpenAI has achieved substantial user engagement with ChatGPT, boasting over 900 million weekly active users and a monthly revenue run rate of $2 billion.