Anthropic, the AI startup behind the popular Claude chatbot, is reportedly gearing up for one of the largest initial public offerings (IPOs) in history, potentially surpassing the scale of OpenAI's anticipated public debut. The Financial Times reports that Anthropic is in early talks with investment banks and has engaged the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, known for its work on high-profile tech IPOs like Google, LinkedIn, and Lyft. This move comes as the startup, led by CEO Dario Amodei, is also pursuing a private funding round that could value it above $300 billion, with commitments from Microsoft and Nvidia. The discussions with investment banks are described as preliminary, but the potential IPO could position Anthropic in a competitive race with OpenAI, which is also reportedly preparing for a public offering. The news raises questions about the market's appetite for loss-making AI startups, especially amid concerns of an AI bubble. However, an Anthropic spokesperson noted that the company is operating as if it were already publicly traded, and no decisions have been made regarding the timing or whether to go public. The FT report highlights recent changes at Anthropic, including the hiring of former Airbnb executive Krishna Rao, who played a key role in Airbnb's 2020 IPO. CNBC also reported that Anthropic was recently valued at $350 billion after receiving significant investments from Microsoft and Nvidia. In its expansion, Anthropic has announced a $50 billion AI infrastructure build-out with data centers in Texas and New York and has tripled its international workforce. Investors are reportedly enthusiastic about the potential IPO, which could give Anthropic an edge over OpenAI. While OpenAI has been rumored to consider an IPO, its CFO recently stated that the company is not seeking a near-term listing. The race between these AI giants is intensifying, and the outcome could significantly impact the industry's future.
