OpenAI just closed a $122 billion funding round — the largest in history. And what’s the company doing with the money? Buying a personal finance startup called Hiro and a tech podcast company called TBPN. If you’re wondering what that has to do with AI: you’re not alone.
Hiro: Because ChatGPT Alone Isn’t Enough
Hiro is a small finance startup using AI for personal financial planning. The acquisition on April 13 signals that OpenAI is thinking beyond the chatbot. ChatGPT is the world’s most recognized AI product — but “recognized” doesn’t mean “profitable.” OpenAI needs products that people will actually pay for on an ongoing basis. Personal finance could be one of those areas.
The problem: Anthropic is doing exactly this with Claude Code, Cowork, and now Claude Design — specialized products for concrete use cases. While OpenAI is still searching, Anthropic has already figured out “where the most money is,” as TechCrunch put it.
TBPN: Image Management Through Your Own Media House
The TBPN acquisition is even stranger. TBPN is a popular tech podcast by John Coogan and Jordi Hays, featuring interviews with Zuckerberg, Nadella, and Altman himself. Sam Altman called it “my favorite tech show.” The company is expected to generate over $30 million in revenue in 2026.
Officially, TBPN will maintain “editorial independence.” But it reports to Chris Lehane — OpenAI’s top PR strategist. After a devastating New Yorker investigation by Ronan Farrow, the timing is no coincidence. OpenAI wants to tell its own story.
Acqui-Hires Instead of Strategy?
TechCrunch argues that both acquisitions are fundamentally acqui-hires — more about talent than products. That’s common in tech, but from a company sitting on $122 billion in capital, you’d expect more.
The central question remains: What is OpenAI beyond ChatGPT? A platform company? A media house? A financial services provider? As long as the answer is unclear, Anthropic will keep gaining ground — with focused products for people who want to get real work done.
Sources: