OpenAI and SoftBank have announced a substantial investment of $1 billion in SB Energy, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to bolster OpenAI's AI infrastructure expansion, leveraging SB Energy's expertise in data center infrastructure and energy development. The partnership is a key component of the $500 billion Stargate commitment, which was initially announced in January 2025 at the White House. As part of this agreement, SB Energy will construct and manage OpenAI's 1.2 gigawatt data center facility in Milam County, Texas, a project first unveiled in September 2025.
Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president, emphasized the benefits of this partnership, stating that it combines SB Energy's strengths in data center infrastructure and energy development with OpenAI's deep domain knowledge in data center engineering. This synergy, according to Brockman, will enable the rapid and reliable scaling of compute power through large, highly optimized AI data centers.
SB Energy, backed by SoftBank and Ares Management, has also established a non-exclusive preferred partnership with OpenAI and SoftBank to develop a novel data center construction model. This model integrates OpenAI's proprietary data center design with SB Energy's proven expertise in speed, cost management, and integrated energy delivery. The company is currently developing multiple multi-gigawatt data center campuses, with initial facilities set to commence operations this year.
The relationship between SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, and OpenAI has intensified over the past year. Just two months after the Stargate project's announcement, OpenAI secured a $40 billion financing round led by SoftBank, the largest private tech funding in history. This round included investments from key partners such as Microsoft, Coatue, Altimeter, and Thrive. Additionally, SoftBank sold its entire stake in chipmaker Nvidia for $5.83 billion in November, further emphasizing its commitment to OpenAI's success.
This strategic investment and partnership between OpenAI and SoftBank, along with their commitment to the Stargate project, highlight their shared vision for the future of AI and data center infrastructure.
