CoreWeave Lands $11.9B OpenAI Deal, Boosts IPO Prospects Amid GPU Shortage
March 10, 2025
- This strategic partnership aims to enhance OpenAI's capabilities in cloud computing, allowing the company to diversify its resources and reduce reliance on Microsoft, its largest partner. 
- CoreWeave has secured an $11.9 billion contract with OpenAI, effective for five years, which includes a stake in the cloud computing provider as OpenAI prepares for its initial public offering (IPO). 
- Founded in 2017 and based in Livingston, New Jersey, CoreWeave specializes in providing cloud-based GPU infrastructure to AI developers and has gained recognition as one of TIME100's most influential companies. 
- In its recent IPO filing, CoreWeave reported a remarkable revenue increase to $1.92 billion for 2024, up from $228.9 million the previous year, although it also faced a significant net loss of $863.4 million. 
- Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs are leading the underwriting for CoreWeave's IPO, which is expected to debut on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol CRWV. 
- CoreWeave is preparing for its public debut on the Nasdaq in the coming weeks, with plans to raise $4 billion and lead the U.S. IPO market in 2025. 
- This contract with OpenAI is expected to significantly boost CoreWeave's market position ahead of its IPO, enhancing its visibility and potential growth. 
- OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has emphasized the necessity for more GPU resources, indicating that they are currently 'out of GPUs' and highlighting the importance of CoreWeave's dedicated compute capacity. 
- Altman described CoreWeave as a vital addition to OpenAI's infrastructure, complementing existing partnerships with Microsoft and Oracle. 
- Despite the promising partnership, challenges remain in integrating AI with blockchain technologies, particularly regarding scalability and processing power. 
- The company has raised over $12 billion in total funding over the past two years, including a $1.1 billion investment in May at a valuation of $19 billion. 
- Initially established for crypto mining, CoreWeave has transformed into an AI powerhouse, with its founders having cashed out $488 million in shares prior to the IPO. 
Summary based on 12 sources
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Sources

TechCrunch • Mar 10, 2025
In another chess move with Microsoft, OpenAI is pouring $12B into CoreWeave | TechCrunch
Yahoo Finance • Mar 10, 2025
Exclusive-CoreWeave strikes $12 billion contract with OpenAI ahead of IPO, sources say
Times Of India • Mar 11, 2025
This may be the '$12 billion proof' that all is not well between Microsoft and ChatGPT maker OpenAI
