European Union: EU Commission received notification of OpenAI OpCo, SoftBank Group Corp. and SB OAI Japan GK concentration

On 7 April 2026, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (the Merger Regulation). OpenAI OpCo, LLC, controlled by the OpenAI Foundation, and C Holdings Corporation, controlled by SoftBank Group Corp., notified their intention to acquire joint control of SB OAI Japan GK within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and Article 3(4) of the Merger Regulation. Prior to the transaction, SB OAI Japan GK's primary purpose was to market, resell and distribute AI solutions of OpenAI OpCo, LLC to major enterprise clients in Japan. Following the transaction, it would also develop its own end-user applications, middleware and templates/tools for internal or client use and provide accompanying professional services. The Commission noted the case as a candidate for treatment under the simplified procedure.