TechCrunch Industry News OpenAI reportedly finalizing $100B deal; SoftBank spending $33B to build huge U.S. gas power plant; and New York hits the brakes on robotaxi expansion
Feb 19, 2026
A massive funding round reportedly values a leading AI company near $850 billion and involves major tech investors. A plan for a $33 billion, 9.2 GW natural gas power plant raises questions about scale and emissions. New York withdraws a proposal that would have eased rules for expanding robotaxi services outside the city.
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Valuation And Profitability Signals
- The company's pre-money value reportedly stays at $730 billion while the round brings in extra capital.
- Investors appear willing to back ad tests and a path toward profitability despite short-term cash burn.
OpenAI Nears Massive $100B Funding Round
- OpenAI is nearing a funding round that could raise over $100 billion at an $850 billion valuation.
- Major tech investors like Amazon, SoftBank, NVIDIA and Microsoft are reported as leading initial tranches.
Cost, Timeline, And Climate Risks
- It's unclear who will ultimately fund the plant, and ratepayers traditionally bear new generating capacity costs.
- The project could take years and faces turbine shortages and heavy climate externalities including methane leaks.