OpenAI seeks faster fundraising as Anthropic preps IPO

· Tech · United States

OpenAI is seeking to accelerate fundraising ahead of an initial public offering by rival Anthropic, according to sources. Nvidia-backed cloud provider Nscale is in talks with Anthropic for a new $45 billion AI cloud deal. Anthropic has committed 5% of its shares, valued at about $48 billion, to a fund for the "public good" as it prepares to list, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt owns a 1% stake, Bloomberg reported. On prediction market Kalshi, Anthropic is seen as the last major IPO of 2026 after OpenAI delayed its public debut. Anthropic has also said it hires a smaller share of junior technical roles as AI agents take over work.

Why it matters：The IPO race will set the valuation benchmark for the AI industry and determine which companies control its next phase of expansion.

Key points

  • Nscale and Anthropic are discussing a $45 billion AI cloud deal
  • Anthropic has committed 5% of its shares, worth about $48 billion, to a public benefit fund
  • Schmidt holds a 1% stake in Anthropic, according to Bloomberg

Sources (original reporting)

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