According to media reports citing multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter, OpenAI has committed to investing up to $1.5 billion in a new joint venture established in partnership with private equity firms.

OpenAI will initially inject $500 million of its own equity into the joint venture. Concurrent with this funding round, the overall valuation of the enterprise is expected to reach $10 billion, with the round anticipated to close in early May.

OpenAI holds an option to invest an additional $1 billion at a later stage.

Investment firms, including TPG, Inc., Bain Capital, Advent International, Brookfield Asset Management, and Goanna Capital, will collectively contribute $4 billion.

The participating private equity firms have an investment holding period of five years, for which OpenAI has guaranteed a minimum annualized return of 17.5%.

The new joint venture, which has the internal codename DeployCo, has already begun hiring its own employees and also includes staff seconded from OpenAI.

OpenAI holds a majority stake in the joint venture, which is currently managed by Brad Lightcap.