SoftBank has finalized the second phase of its $30 billion investment pledge to OpenAI by injecting an additional $10 billion, funded through a bridge loan. This move highlights OpenAI’s central role in SoftBank’s portfolio, even as postponement of OpenAI’s IPO weighs on investor confidence and impacts SoftBank’s stock performance.
- SoftBank deploys $10B via bridge loan for OpenAI investment
- OpenAI IPO delayed to 2027, dampening investor sentiment
- India portfolio faces valuation pressure, except Lenskart
What happened
SoftBank has completed its second $10 billion tranche of a planned $30 billion investment into OpenAI, deploying funds through its Vision Fund 2 with financing secured via a bridge loan agreement arranged in March 2026. This bridge facility, totaling $40 billion, involves several major banks and will mature in March 2027. SoftBank is poised to inject the final $10 billion by October 2026.
OpenAI announced a fresh funding round valuing the company at a pre-money valuation of $730 billion, supported by key contributors including SoftBank, Nvidia, and Amazon. However, reports surfaced indicating that OpenAI may delay its initial public offering until 2027 due to competitive factors, a development that affected SoftBank’s stock and market sentiment.
Why it matters
For SoftBank, OpenAI remains a pivotal investment, significantly boosting the group’s profitability. In the first quarter of 2026, SoftBank’s net profit more than tripled, largely attributed to the appreciation of its stake in OpenAI. Despite this, the delay of OpenAI’s anticipated IPO introduces near-term uncertainty for investors and the valuation trajectory of the company.
At the same time, SoftBank’s investments in India have experienced headwinds, with its Indian-listed portfolio under pressure amid broader market corrections. Despite losses in firms such as Swiggy, Ola Electric, and Meesho, eyewear retailer Lenskart delivered positive returns, slightly offsetting the impact on SoftBank’s overall Indian exposure.
What to watch next
Market participants will closely monitor how OpenAI navigates its IPO timeline and whether the company can maintain momentum against emerging competitors such as Anthropic. The timing and execution of OpenAI’s public debut will be critical to validating SoftBank’s substantial investment and restoring investor confidence.
Additionally, scrutiny remains on SoftBank’s portfolio management strategy, especially its approach to stabilizing and growing its stakes in India amid recent volatility. Observers will watch for potential restructuring, strategic exits, or additional capital moves as SoftBank balances its high-profile exposure to AI giants with regional market dynamics.