Potential future initial public offerings (IPOs) of SpaceX and OpenAI are generating significant interest among investors and the technology industry, with both companies viewed as candidates for some of the largest public listings in global markets. Reports indicate that two India-born early investors in the companies could be positioned for substantial gains if the firms pursue public offerings.
SpaceX has drawn global attention for its space technology initiatives and Mars mission ambitions, while OpenAI has emerged as a central player in developments related to artificial intelligence. Both companies are widely regarded as influential institutions shaping the future of the technology industry.
India-born venture capitalist Vinod Khosla was among the early investors in OpenAI. His investment firm, Khosla Ventures, invested approximately $50 million in OpenAI in 2019, at a time when artificial intelligence technology faced uncertainty and some investors viewed the move as high risk.
According to reports, if OpenAI becomes publicly listed at a valuation between $850 billion and $1 trillion, Khosla’s investment could increase to approximately $1.5 billion, representing an estimated 30-fold return. Experts cited in reports consider it among the most successful venture capital investments in modern technology history.
The developments have also drawn attention to Indian information technology company Infosys, which supported OpenAI during its early phase as a non-profit research organisation. The company reportedly contributed approximately $3 million in the initial stage. Reports state that then-Chief Executive Officer Vishal Sikka supported a larger investment in OpenAI.
However, the proposal was reportedly viewed within the company as differing from traditional business models and carrying elevated risk. Analysts cited in reports said that a larger investment at the time could potentially have been worth billions of dollars today.
Another India-born investor associated with the developments is Anand Desai, who invested in SpaceX during its early stages. New York-based investment firm Darsana Capital Partners acquired a stake in SpaceX in 2019, when the company’s valuation was estimated at approximately $30 billion to $33 billion. At the time, reports noted that Elon Musk’s plan to establish human settlements on Mars was regarded by some as highly ambitious and impractical. SpaceX is now counted among the most influential companies in the global space industry.
According to reports, SpaceX could pursue a future IPO at a valuation exceeding $1.5 trillion. Analysts estimate that a substantial share of Darsana Capital’s assets is linked to its SpaceX investment, which may now be valued at more than $10 billion. Reports describe the investment as one of the most successful long-term investments in the modern technology and space sectors.
The relationship between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has also become part of discussions surrounding the companies. Musk and Altman co-founded OpenAI, but Musk later exited the organisation following differences in views. Since then, the companies have expanded rapidly in different technology sectors, with OpenAI emerging as a leading organisation in artificial intelligence and SpaceX advancing private space technology.
According to experts cited in reports, potential public listings of SpaceX and OpenAI would not only represent financial developments but could also influence the direction of technology in the coming decade.
