# SoftBank completes $30B OpenAI investment via senior notes

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-10-01T19:35:01Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/softbank-completes-30b-openai-investment-via-senior-notes

## Summary

SoftBank Group Corp. announced on October 1, 2026, that it has completed the third and final $10 billion tranche of its follow-on investment in OpenAI Group PBC. This execution concludes a $30 billion program originally agreed upon in February 2026, bringing SoftBank’s cumulative investment in the AI company to $64.6 billion. In exchange, SoftBank holds approximately 13% ownership in OpenAI, which is valued at a pre-money valuation of $730 billion. The shares acquired are preferred shares that will automatically convert to common stock upon OpenAI’s initial public offering.

To finance this final tranche, SoftBank utilized proceeds from a senior notes issuance rather than its previous bridge loans. On September 24, 2026, the company issued approximately $11.1 billion in foreign currency-denominated senior notes, including dollar and euro-denominated bonds with maturities ranging from 2030 to 2034. These notes carry BB+ ratings from S&P Global Ratings Japan and Fitch Ratings Japan. SoftBank used these funds to pay for the third tranche and simultaneously canceled the remaining $10 billion of undrawn capacity under its $40 billion bridge facility, which had been fully repaid by September 15, 2026.

SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son stated that the investment aims to accelerate OpenAI’s research and ecosystem expansion while advancing SoftBank’s own Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) strategy. The company maintains that its financial policies remain unchanged, with loan-to-value ratios managed below 25% under normal conditions. This move solidifies SoftBank’s position as a major financial backer of OpenAI, which is led by CEO Sam Altman and reorganized as a public benefit corporation in October 2025.

## Key points

- SoftBank completed a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, bringing total stakes to $64.6 billion for 13% ownership.
- The final $10 billion tranche was funded by senior notes issued in September 2026, not bridge loans.
- SoftBank canceled the remaining $10 billion undrawn capacity of its $40 billion bridge facility after repayment.

## Why it matters

This deal confirms SoftBank’s deepening financial commitment to OpenAI, signaling strong investor confidence in the company’s $730 billion valuation and its path toward a potential IPO.

## Sources

1. [SoftBank Closes Third $10B OpenAI Tranche Using Senior Notes Proceeds](https://unite.ai/softbank-closes-third-10b-openai-tranche-using-senior-notes-proceeds) (Unite.AI, 2026-10-01)

Part of the developing story: [SoftBank's AI Investment Bond Saga](https://digestai.news/thread/opinion-softbank-s-ai-strategy-relies-on-11b-debt-and-openai) (3 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "SoftBank completes $30B OpenAI investment via senior notes", 1 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/softbank-completes-30b-openai-investment-via-senior-notes

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