Anthropic reportedly preparing for massive IPO in race with OpenAI: FT
Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup behind the popular Claude chatbot, is in early talks to launch one of the biggest IPOs early next year, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
For the potential IPO, Anthropic hired law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, which had previously worked on it. high-profile tech IPOs Companies such as Google, LinkedIn and Lyft, the FT said, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The start-up, led by chief executive Dario Amodei, was also pursuing a private financing round that could value it at more than $300 billion, including a combined commitment of $15 billion. Microsoft And Nvidiaaccording to the report.
He added that Anthropic has also discussed a potential IPO with major investment banks, but sources described those talks as preliminary and informal.
If true, this news could put Anthropic in a race to enter the market with rival ChatGPT maker OpenAI. reportedly The foundations of the public offering are being laid. Potential listings would also test investors’ appetite for loss-making AI startups amid growing fears of a so-called AI bubble.
But an Anthropic spokesperson told the FT: “It is fairly standard practice for companies of our size and revenue level to operate effectively as if they were public companies.” and added that no decisions have been made regarding timing or whether it will open to the public.
CNBC was unable to reach Anthropic and Wilson Sonsini, who advised Anthropic. for several yearsfor comment.
Anthropic is working on internal preparations for a potential listing, according to one of the FT’s sources, but details were not provided.
The FT report follows some key changes at the company recently: Hiring of former Airbnb executive Krishna RaoHe played a key role in the firm’s 2020 IPO.
CNBC also reported last month that Anthropic’s valuation recently reached the $350 billion range after receiving investments of up to $5 billion from Microsoft and $10 billion from Nvidia.
In the race to surpass OpenAI in artificial intelligence, the startup is also expanding aggressively; recently announced the construction of $50 billion in AI infrastructure with data centers in Texas and New York, and has tripled its international workforce.
According to the FT report, investors in the company are enthusiastic about Anthropic’s potential IPO, which could see it “seize the initiative” from OpenAI.
While rumors have swirled that OpenAI is considering an IPO, its chief financial officer recently said the company is not pursuing a near-term listing, despite closing a $6.6 billion share sale in October at a $500 billion valuation.
