Prime Highlights
- Stripe has agreed to acquire OpenRouter for more than $7 billion, though the final price could still change.
- OpenRouter serves 8 million developers with access to over 400 AI models as of May.
Key Facts
- OpenRouter, founded in 2023, helps businesses find the most efficient and affordable AI models for their needs.
- The startup has raised more than $150 million from investors including CapitalG, Andreessen Horowitz and Menlo Ventures.
Background
Stripe Inc. has finalized an agreement to acquire OpenRouter Inc., a startup that helps businesses switch between artificial intelligence models, for more than $7 billion, people familiar with the matter said. The deal comes just months after OpenRouter raised funds at a reported valuation of $1.3 billion, highlighting growing demand from companies for cost-effective AI solutions and giving Stripe a stronger foothold in the fast-growing AI sector.
The final acquisition price could still change, according to people who spoke on condition of anonymity as the details remain private. A spokesperson for Stripe said the company does not comment on rumours or speculation, while OpenRouter declined to comment.
Founded in 2023, OpenRouter provides access to hundreds of AI models, aiming to match developers with the most efficient and affordable options for their needs. The New York-based firm has drawn backing from major investors, including CapitalG, Andreessen Horowitz and Menlo Ventures, and has raised more than $150 million to date.
The startup’s growth comes amid rising scrutiny of AI costs. While companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI are widely seen as offering the most capable models, several Chinese firms now provide cheaper alternatives considered adequate for many tasks. In May, OpenRouter said it served 8 million developers accessing more than 400 AI models, with much of its growth driven by developers building agentic capabilities requiring infrastructure across multiple providers.
OpenRouter CEO Alex Atallah previously co-founded OpenSea, an NFT marketplace that raised over $400 million but later saw usage decline sharply. He left OpenSea in mid-2022 and launched OpenRouter less than a year later.