OpenAI moves to acquire AI coding startup Windsurf for $3 billion in landmark deal
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In a major move to solidify its dominance in the artificial intelligence software landscape, OpenAI is reportedly acquiring Windsurf, an AI-powered coding assistant platform, for approximately $3 billion. The acquisition, if finalized, would be OpenAI’s most significant to date and signals a deepening commitment to enhancing developer tools in an increasingly competitive AI market. 

Windsurf, previously known as Codeium, has emerged as a strong player in the AI-powered software development space. Its tools assist programmers with real-time code suggestions, debugging support, and integration across popular development environments. With developers increasingly relying on intelligent code generation, the strategic fit for OpenAI appears clear: bolster its existing product stack—such as ChatGPT’s code interpreter and Codex—with a more specialized, developer-facing offering. 

Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that while the deal is not yet closed, both parties are moving toward an agreement. Windsurf had previously been in talks to raise capital at a $3 billion valuation from notable investors including General Catalyst and Kleiner Perkins. It last raised $150 million in 2023, when it was still operating under the name Codeium, and was then valued at $1.25 billion. 

The acquisition comes amid broader ambitions by OpenAI to become not just a foundational model provider but also an ecosystem of productivity tools. In March 2025, OpenAI was reportedly planning to raise as much as $40 billion in a funding round that could value the company at a staggering $300 billion. Its recent acquisition of Rockset, a real-time analytics and database startup, had already shown signs of OpenAI’s intentions to move beyond chatbots and language models into enterprise-grade infrastructure and application layers. 

Windsurf’s platform would likely be integrated with OpenAI’s existing developer offerings, including Codex and its API platform, which powers coding assistants used by millions. While GitHub Copilot—powered by OpenAI’s technology—remains one of the most widely used AI coding tools globally, Windsurf could give OpenAI additional control and innovation capabilities in the IDE (integrated development environment) space. 

For OpenAI, which faces growing competition from tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta in the generative AI space, acquiring niche startups that specialize in high-impact verticals has become a key strategy. It allows the company to quickly scale capabilities and offer differentiated tools for both consumers and enterprise clients. 

The deal also reflects the intensifying M&A activity within the AI sector. As valuations soar and demand for AI-enabled productivity platforms spikes, tech firms are rushing to consolidate talent and proprietary technology. Windsurf, with its deep focus on developer productivity, fits squarely into this trend. 

If the acquisition proceeds as planned, it could accelerate OpenAI’s roadmap toward becoming the default AI layer not just for natural language tasks, but also for software engineering, enterprise analytics, and beyond. More than a product buyout, the Windsurf acquisition represents a strategic bet on the future of how software will be built—with AI not as a helper, but as a co-pilot at every stage.