Apollo eyes $9 billion SoftBank loan for OpenAI bets
openai
| Source: Mastodon | Original article
Apollo Global Management is negotiating with SoftBank to raise its loan from $5.4 billion to $9 billion to finance SoftBank’s investment in OpenAI.
Apollo Global Management is in active talks with SoftBank Group to enlarge a loan that underpins the Japanese conglomerate’s massive stake in OpenAI. The proposed amendment would lift the existing credit facility from $5.4 billion to as much as $9 billion, giving SoftBank additional firepower to sustain its OpenAI commitment, which totals roughly $64.6 billion.
The move signals that SoftBank’s Vision Fund II is seeking more liquidity as it doubles down on generative‑AI bets. By expanding the loan, SoftBank can shore up its balance sheet, meet any near‑term capital calls from OpenAI, and preserve flexibility for further strategic moves in the fast‑moving AI market. For Apollo, the larger exposure reflects confidence in the long‑term value of AI‑centric assets and deepens its partnership with one of the world’s most prominent tech investors.
The financing talks come amid a wave of activity around OpenAI, from legal‑tech rollouts to high‑profile antitrust battles, underscoring the company’s central role in the industry. Stakeholders will be watching whether the loan amendment is finalized, how the terms compare with the original agreement, and whether SoftBank will use the extra capacity to increase its stake or to fund ancillary AI initiatives. The outcome will also offer clues about how private‑equity lenders are positioning themselves in the burgeoning AI financing ecosystem.
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