Stripe in talks to acquire AI startup OpenRouter for ~$10B - report (STRIP:Private)

Stripe is currently in active negotiations to acquire the AI startup OpenRouter for approximately $10 billion. People familiar with the situation indicate that a deal could be finalized shortly. The startup offers software that simplifies customer access to various AI models, including those from OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside various open-source alternatives.

OpenRouter acts as a gateway for users to tap into diverse intelligence models through a single interface. The company has attracted backing from CapitalG, which is the growth-stage fund associated with Alphabet. Market observers note that this potential acquisition aligns with a broader strategy for Stripe to increase its presence within the artificial intelligence sector.

This news follows recent reports regarding Stripe’s interest in acquiring PayPal in a deal valued at over $53 billion, which involved private equity firm Advent International. Reports suggest the PayPal board currently views that offer as inadequate. The shift toward a $10 billion deal for OpenRouter marks another significant move for Stripe as it seeks new avenues for growth.

Several large technology companies reportedly expressed interest in OpenRouter before these discussions reached their current state. As the market for AI infrastructure continues to expand, Stripe appears focused on securing key technology to maintain its position as a primary player in digital payments and software services.