Anthropic moves closer to mega-IPO as bankers line up investor meetings

Anthropic is making significant strides towards a potential initial public offering (IPO) as it organizes meetings with investors, according to sources familiar with the situation. Bankers overseeing the IPO are coordinating discussions between prospective investors and the leadership team of the artificial intelligence company, known for its acclaimed Claude models. These meetings indicate that Anthropic is advancing in its IPO preparations, with bankers gauging investor interest ahead of a formal roadshow and subsequent stock sale. Last month, Anthropic confidentially submitted its IPO prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), although it has not revealed a specific date for its market debut. Reports suggest that the AI startup could potentially enter the public markets as early as October, though this timeline may change. This initiative follows the notable IPO of SpaceX in June, which has sparked renewed interest in AI companies entering the public sphere. If successful, Anthropic's IPO could open new avenues for investment in AI, an industry that has largely seen its major players remain privately funded while raising substantial capital. The startup is on track to potentially outpace rival OpenAI in going public, which might provide a competitive edge should interest in AI technology fluctuate. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives concerned about the company's trajectory, Anthropic has gained traction in the enterprise market, largely due to its widely used coding assistant, Claude Code. In May, the company achieved a remarkable $65 billion funding round, reaching a valuation of $965 billion—surpassing OpenAI's valuation for the first time. Prominent Wall Street banks, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan Chase, are playing key roles in the IPO planning process. The ongoing boom in AI investments has rejuvenated profits for these financial institutions as they look to meet growing investor demand for opportunities in this burgeoning sector.