OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Business Premium at $125/User — and Why It Matters for the IPO

Workspace owners can mix standard and Premium seats within the same workspace, assigning each teammate the appropriate tier based on their usage needs .

Limited-Time Promotional Offer

For a limited period, OpenAI is offering the first 10,000 eligible ChatGPT Business customers a credit of $100 in workspace credits (2,500 credits) for every Premium seat added, up to $500 for five seats . The promotion ends on August 20, 2026 . Some early sign-ups may also receive early access to the Premium tier before general availability . Additionally, starting August 19, 2026, any seats added to an existing Business plan will incur immediate pro-rated charges rather than waiting until the next billing cycle .

The Bigger Picture: OpenAI's Revenue Growth and IPO Trajectory

The Premium tier launch is not an isolated pricing update — it is a direct play to boost enterprise revenue per seat ahead of OpenAI's anticipated public offering.

Revenue growth has been dramatic:

• OpenAI hit approximately $25 billion in annualized revenue by early 2026, up from about $21.4 billion at the end of 2025 .
• Enterprise now accounts for more than 40% of revenue and is on track to reach parity with consumer revenue by the end of 2026 .
• CFO Sarah Friar told employees in late July 2026 that July's annualized recurring revenue alone topped OpenAI's entire Q2 2026 revenue, calling the quarter "no slouch" .

IPO timeline:

• OpenAI filed a confidential S-1 with the SEC in June 2026 .
• The Wall Street Journal reported in January 2026 that the company is laying groundwork for a public listing in Q4 2026 .
• The company is structured as a Public Benefit Corporation under a nonprofit parent, which adds complexity to the IPO process .
• Mid-2026 valuation was estimated at approximately $178 billion , though some reports cite broader ranges from $730 billion to over $1 trillion .

The Premium tier fits this strategy: premium seats cost 5x more than standard seats, targeting heavy internal users without requiring organizations to buy separate Pro subscriptions. Every heavy user converted to a Premium seat directly increases OpenAI's enterprise ARR at a time when the company is making its financial case to public-market investors.

One operational change to note: starting August 19, 2026, any seats added to an existing Business plan will incur immediate pro-rated charges rather than waiting until the next billing cycle .