Thrive Holdings, the permanent-capital vehicle launched this year by Thrive Capital, said today it has entered into a partnership with OpenAI, with the AI firm taking a stake in the holding company in exchange for access to its AI tools, engineers and data from Thrive-owned firms.

The deal underscores Thrive Holdings’ plan to transform traditional service companies — in accounting, IT and other “real-economy” sectors — by embedding frontier AI at the core of their operations, according to Thrive’s release today.

Thrive Holdings aims to invest in “real economy” businesses that may have been overlooked by traditional tech investors, but whose internal processes can benefit dramatically from automation and AI.

The company plans to create a new investment model, blending private equity, venture capital and operational stewardship, according to the release.

In doing so, the firm challenges the conventional narrative that only flashy startups and rapid exits define tech investing. Its long-term, technology-driven acquisition strategy demonstrates that everyday services can be fertile ground for innovation and growth.

Companies in the Thrive Holdings portfolio include:

• Shield Technology Partners, an AI-driven IT service provider;
• Crete, an accounting service provider; and
• Long Lake, a home ownership and selling platform.

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