OpenAI invests $40 million in Opal as it expands beyond webcams

In short: OpenAI has invested $40 million in Opal, the webcam maker is rebranding as Opal Electronics, and it plans to launch an AI-powered audio gadget soon.

What happened

Opal, a small company in San Francisco known for high-end webcams, is changing its name to Opal Electronics. The company says it wants to make more types of consumer gadgets, not just webcams.

WIRED reports that OpenAI led a $40 million Series B funding round for Opal. In simple terms, this is a major cash investment to help a company grow. The deal closed in the first quarter of 2025, according to a source cited by WIRED, and Opal is valued at about $275 million.

The same source said other investors include Samsung, Peter Thiel, Seven Seven Six (Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm), and YouTuber Marques Brownlee. Opal declined to comment, and OpenAI did not respond to WIRED.

Why it matters

Opal is working on an AI-powered audio product that it plans to launch in the next three to four months, according to the source. “AI-powered” here means the device uses software that can listen and understand speech or sound, like an assistant that can turn talking into text. The product is being tested by Sam Altman and people at several AI labs, and Opal is reportedly talking with OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI so users could switch between different AI models (like choosing a different search engine).

This matters because many recent AI gadgets have disappointed buyers. Opal appears to be taking a slower approach, and it says it will eventually publish repair and build files for products when they reach end of life, which could help owners keep devices working longer.

Source: Wired