Altman founded his first company Loopt in 2005 as Stanford dropout. Later he succeeded in the millions. He invested the money sensibly.
Openai is one of the most valuable AI companies in the world. In the largest funding round ($ 35 billion) to date ($ 35 billion) so far, the company was rated at 260 billion euros ($ 300 billion).
Sam Altman, CEO and face of the company, should be happy – but he does not benefit from this financially. Because Altman does not hold any shares in Openaai.
Why the corporate structure was changed in 2019
In 2015 Openai was founded as a non -profit organization. The goal: to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in the sense of humanity.
The structure was adapted in 2019: Openai launched the subsidiary Openai LP, a “caped profit” unit. Control over the company is still the original non-profit organization, including the decision-making power over profits.
At the end of 2024 speculations circulated that Altman could receive up to seven percent of the shares as part of a possible restructuring towards a profit -oriented company.
However, he rejected these reports. After public pressure, Openai leaned and retains his non -profit core.
Billionaire without Openai shares
Even without shares in the AI flagship project, Altman is financially well positioned. The Forbes-Magazin recently estimated its assets at around 1.5 billion euros ($ 1.7 billion).
The majority comes from investments in over 400 startups, including well -known names such as Stripe, Airbnb or Reddit. Last year, the Forbes-Magazin took a closer look at Altman's portfolio.
Altman began his entrepreneurial career in 2005 when he founded the Loopt location app, which he sold in 2012 for around 37 million euros ($ 43 million). Among other things, he started his own VC fund Hydrazine Capital, through which he invested early in numerous tech startups.
Moonshots, biotech and fusion energy
A particularly large post in Altman's portfolio is the US company Helion, which is working on commercialized core fusion energy.
According to Forbes, Altman has invested 324 million euros ($ 375 million) there – his largest individual deal so far. Critics see a possible conflict of interest: Openai should be interested in Helion as an energy partner in the long term. The company plans to put a first fusion power plant into operation by 2028.
Also in the Biotech area, Altman is on the road as an investor: Retro Biosciences, a startup with the aim of extending human life, is said to have received 155 million euros ($ 180 million) in 2021. According to media reports, he increased his participation again in early 2025-over a billion dollars as part of a Series A round.
In addition, Altman, together with his brothers Jack and Max from the joint fund Apollo Projects, is investing in so-called “Monshot” ideas, i.e. ambitious, long-term tech visions. Investments were made in Galy, Presto, Airops and Shelpful. Together with Hydrazine Capital, Apollo projects make up around 15 percent of Altman's total assets.
Long-time YC president and real estate investor
As a former President of Y Combinator, Altman is also involved in several YC funds. These participations and smaller personal investments are evaluated by Forbes with around 180 million euros ($ 210 million).
His real estate portfolio, on the other hand, has a comparatively modest: around 78 million euros ($ 90 million) should be worth his houses in California and Hawaii – an outlier in an otherwise strongly technology -driven mix of assets.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.de/gruenderszene/technologie/kein-anteil-an-openai-und-trotzdem-milliardaer-wie-sam-altman-reich-wurde/
