Anthropic Eyes $300B+ IPO, Races OpenAI to Public Markets

Anthropic is preparing for a possible 2026 IPO, hiring Wilson Sonsini and holding talks with banks. The company seeks a $300B+ valuation, has over 300,000 business customers, and recently acquired Bun to boost its platform.

Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Claude chatbot, is preparing for a potential initial public offering (IPO) as early as 2026. The company has engaged law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for IPO groundwork and is in preliminary talks with major investment banks. Anthropic is pursuing a private funding round that could value it above $300 billion, with significant commitments from Microsoft and Nvidia. The company’s annualized revenue run rate could reach $26 billion next year, and its business customer base has grown to over 300,000. Anthropic recently made its first acquisition by purchasing Bun, a developer tools startup, to enhance its platform. The company’s preparations reflect rapid growth and increasing enterprise demand for AI solutions. OpenAI, Anthropic’s main competitor, is also exploring a public listing, setting the stage for a high-profile race to the public markets. While no final decision has been made regarding the IPO, Anthropic’s moves signal its intent to expand market access and efficiently raise capital amid the AI industry’s rapid expansion.