OpenAI Ends Microsoft Exclusivity as Netomi Raises $110M

OpenAI and Microsoft on Monday terminated their exclusive partnership agreement, allowing OpenAI to license its technology to any cloud provider including Amazon and Google, while capping Microsoft’s revenue share obligations at a fixed ceiling. The restructuring comes as enterprise AI funding accelerates, with customer service startup Netomi raising $110 million and SoftBank reportedly planning a $100 billion AI and robotics spinout.

OpenAI-Microsoft Partnership Restructure

The new agreement eliminates Microsoft’s exclusive rights to OpenAI’s intellectual property and removes Microsoft’s obligation to share AI revenue with OpenAI, according to CNBC. In exchange, OpenAI’s debt payments to Microsoft will be capped rather than continuing indefinitely.

Microsoft retains approximately 27% ownership in OpenAI, valued at around $225 billion following OpenAI’s October 2025 restructuring that converted the company to a for-profit entity without profit caps, Forbes reported.

The partnership had grown strained as OpenAI’s computing demands exceeded Microsoft’s Azure capacity, leading OpenAI to pursue the $500 billion Stargate data center project with Oracle and SoftBank. Microsoft shares declined 1% in early trading following the announcement.

Enterprise AI Funding Surge

Netomi, a San Francisco-based AI customer service platform, raised $110 million in Series C funding led by Accenture Ventures, with participation from Adobe Ventures, WndrCo, Silver Lake Waterman, NAVER Ventures, Metis Strategy, and Fin Capital, VentureBeat reported.

The round included backing from AI industry leaders including OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis, and Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Jeffrey Katzenberg, managing partner of WndrCo and co-founder of DreamWorks, joined Netomi’s board.

The funding reflects growing demand for AI systems that operate in “messy, brittle, heavily governed environments where large businesses actually operate,” distinguishing enterprise-ready solutions from demo-focused products.

Competitive Landscape

Netomi competes with Sierra, the AI agent startup led by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, which raised $350 million at a $10 billion valuation in September 2025 and completed three acquisitions in 2026. The customer service AI market has attracted significant venture investment as companies seek to automate support operations.

India’s Instant Services Market

Snabbit, an Indian instant house-help startup, is raising approximately $50-55 million at a $400 million valuation in a round led by Susquehanna Venture Capital, TechCrunch reported. The round includes participation from Mirae Asset, FJ Labs, and existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Bertelsmann India Investments.

The Bengaluru-based company, founded in 2024, connects households with on-demand domestic help for cleaning and other chores. The valuation represents a 122% increase from its $180 million valuation in October 2025 when it raised $30 million.

Snabbit completed over one million jobs in March 2026, with founder Aayush Agarwal reporting more than 10,000 daily jobs. Competitor Pronto is raising funds at a $200 million valuation, while Urban Company reported crossing one million instant home service bookings in March.

SoftBank’s AI Spinout Plans

SoftBank is reportedly considering a $100 billion valuation for a new AI and robotics spinout in a potential U.S. IPO, CNBC reported. The entity would focus on building data centers and developing robotics systems to improve AI infrastructure construction efficiency.

Founder Masayoshi Son has committed tens of billions to AI investments in recent years, positioning SoftBank as a major player in the sector. The spinout would represent one of the largest AI-focused public offerings if it proceeds.

What This Means

The OpenAI-Microsoft restructuring signals a maturation of AI partnerships, moving from exclusive arrangements to more flexible multi-cloud strategies as AI companies seek broader distribution. This shift reflects the growing scale and commercial viability of AI systems that no longer require exclusive partnerships for market access.

The $110 million Netomi funding and SoftBank’s $100 billion spinout plans demonstrate continued investor confidence in enterprise AI applications, particularly in customer service automation and AI infrastructure. These investments suggest the market is moving beyond proof-of-concept toward production-ready AI systems that can operate in complex enterprise environments.

The geographic diversity of deals—from Silicon Valley to India—indicates global expansion of AI investment, with emerging markets like India attracting significant capital for AI-enabled services targeting local consumer needs.

FAQ

Why did OpenAI end its exclusive partnership with Microsoft?
OpenAI’s computing demands exceeded Microsoft’s Azure capacity, leading the company to seek partnerships with other cloud providers like Oracle and Amazon. The exclusive arrangement limited OpenAI’s ability to scale its operations and reach new markets.

What makes Netomi different from other AI customer service companies?
Netomi focuses on enterprise-ready AI systems that work in heavily regulated business environments, rather than demo-focused products. The company has backing from AI industry leaders and emphasizes operational reliability over flashy features.

Is SoftBank’s $100 billion AI spinout realistic?
While the valuation is ambitious, SoftBank has committed tens of billions to AI investments and the spinout would focus on critical AI infrastructure like data centers and robotics, which are experiencing high demand as AI adoption accelerates.