Thrive Holdings has raised $2 billion in fresh funding as the OpenAI-backed company attempts to bring artificial intelligence into parts of the economy that have traditionally been slower to adopt new technology.
The funding round values Thrive Holdings at $12 billion and includes backing from investors such as SoftBank, D1 Capital Partners and Altimeter Capital.
Thrive’s approach to artificial intelligence is different from that of a typical AI startup.
Instead of building a single software product and selling subscriptions to businesses, Thrive acquires and invests in traditional companies before introducing AI technology directly into their operations.
The company has so far focused on sectors including accounting and information technology, where large amounts of repetitive administrative work can potentially be automated.
Part of the new funding will also be used to expand into businesses involving physical assets.
The strategy is based on a relatively simple idea.
Many companies could benefit from artificial intelligence, but they may not have the technical knowledge, resources or internal infrastructure needed to introduce it effectively.
Rather than waiting for those businesses to adopt AI on their own, Thrive is buying into them and attempting to accelerate the process from within.
The company has close links to OpenAI.
Thrive Holdings is a spinout of Thrive Capital, one of OpenAI’s major investors. OpenAI took an ownership stake in Thrive Holdings in late 2025, and employees from the AI company have reportedly worked with Thrive’s businesses to help speed up AI adoption.
The relationship gives Thrive an unusual position in the rapidly expanding AI economy.
While many startups are competing to convince businesses to use their AI products, Thrive is attempting to become part of the businesses it wants to transform.
That model could give the company more control over how AI is deployed.
It could also allow Thrive to benefit directly if the businesses become more efficient or valuable as a result.
The approach resembles private equity, but with artificial intelligence placed at the centre of the investment strategy.
Traditional private equity firms often acquire companies and attempt to improve their performance through restructuring, cost reductions and operational changes.
Thrive is betting that AI can become another tool for transformation.
For example, an accounting business may use AI systems to automate parts of document processing, data analysis and customer communication.
An IT company could use AI agents to handle repetitive support tasks or assist employees with software management.
The potential benefits are obvious.
If artificial intelligence can reduce the amount of routine work required to run a company, businesses could potentially operate with greater efficiency and lower costs.
But the strategy also comes with challenges.
Introducing AI into an established company is often more difficult than demonstrating a chatbot or building a prototype.
Businesses have existing employees, software systems, regulations and customers.
Changing how they operate requires more than simply installing a new AI tool.
Thrive will therefore need to demonstrate that its technology can produce meaningful results in real companies rather than simply generating excitement around the idea of AI transformation.
The new funding suggests investors are willing to give the company significant resources to try.
The deal also reflects a wider shift in the AI market.
For the past few years, much of the industry’s attention has focused on building increasingly powerful models.
The next stage may be about finding ways to apply those models across the real economy.
That means artificial intelligence could begin affecting industries that are rarely associated with Silicon Valley.
Accounting firms, logistics companies, manufacturers and other traditional businesses could become some of the next major battlegrounds for AI adoption.
Thrive Holdings is betting billions that this transformation will not happen simply because companies buy AI software.
It believes the process may require a more direct approach.
