Microsoft Receives Staggering $865.8 Million from OpenAI in 2025

In a move that sheds light on the financial dynamics between tech giants, leaked documents revealed that Microsoft received a staggering $493.8 million in revenue share payments from OpenAI in 2024. This number skyrocketed to $865.8 million in the first three quarters of 2025, according to documents obtained by tech blogger Ed Zitron. The payments are part of a deal where Microsoft invested over $13 billion in the powerful AI startup, with OpenAI reportedly sharing 20% of its revenue with the software giant. The leaked documents also revealed that Microsoft shares revenue with OpenAI, kicking back around 20% of the revenues from Bing and Azure OpenAI Service. Bing is powered by OpenAI, and the OpenAI Service sells cloud access to OpenAI's models to developers and businesses. This reciprocal revenue-sharing model highlights the complex and intertwined nature of the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI. Breaking down the numbers, the $493.8 million in revenue share payments from 2024 translates to a significant chunk of OpenAI's overall revenue. Assuming an average annual revenue of $1.5 billion for OpenAI in 2024, the revenue share payments would account for around 33% of its total revenue. In the first three quarters of 2025, the $865.8 million in revenue share payments would represent around 58% of OpenAI's total revenue, assuming an average annual revenue of $1.5 billion for the year. The market impact of this deal is significant, as it underscores the growing importance of AI in the tech industry. The partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI has been instrumental in driving the development of AI-powered services, including Bing and Azure OpenAI Service. The revenue-sharing model also highlights the potential for AI startups to generate significant revenue through partnerships with established tech giants. OpenAI, founded in 2015, has been at the forefront of AI research and development, with a focus on creating safe and beneficial AI. The company's partnership with Microsoft has been a key factor in its growth and success, with the software giant providing significant funding and resources to support OpenAI's research and development efforts. Looking ahead, the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI is likely to continue to drive innovation in the AI space. As AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous in various industries, the revenue-sharing model between Microsoft and OpenAI could serve as a template for other partnerships between tech giants and AI startups. The implications of this deal are far-reaching, with potential applications in areas such as healthcare, finance, and education. In conclusion, the leaked documents shed light on the financial dynamics between Microsoft and OpenAI, highlighting the significant revenue generated by the partnership. As AI continues to play a larger role in the tech industry, the implications of this deal will be closely watched by investors, researchers, and industry leaders alike.