Stripe Inc. has completed a deal to purchase OpenRouter Inc., a startup that assists firms in transitioning between artificial intelligence models, for over $7 billion, as stated in reports.

The agreement, occurring only months after OpenRouter secured funding at an estimated $1.3 billion valuation, highlights the desire among companies to locate the most economical AI options. It might also provide Stripe, a payment processing company, a more solid position in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry.

The ultimate cost of the purchase may vary. People who spoke on the condition of anonymity described the discussions, as the information is not public.

Established in 2023, OpenRouter offers access to numerous AI models, aiming to connect developers with the most effective and cost-efficient solutions for their projects.

The New York-based firm has drawn in several major investors from Silicon Valley, including CapitalG — one of Alphabet Inc.’s investment branches — along with Andreessen Horowitz and Menlo Ventures. OpenRouter has secured over $150 million in funding so far.

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The startup's growth coincides with increased examination of AI expenses. Although companies such as Anthropic PBC and OpenAI are still regarded as providing the most advanced AI models, a lengthy roster of Chinese companies offers more affordable options that are frequently considered sufficient for numerous tasks.

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In May, OpenRouter reported that it supports 8 million developers who depend on it to utilize over 400 various AI models. The startup's primary growth is driven by developers who test various models while integrating agentic features into their software, a task that necessitates a blend of infrastructure that functions across multiple providers and data sources.

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OpenRouter provides services that assist companies in retrieving backups if their model fails and analyzing which options are most favored throughout the larger tech ecosystem.