Anthropic is making big moves.
The fast-growing AI company has hired the well-known law firm Wilson Sonsini as it prepares for a possible IPO.
According to the Financial Times, the listing could happen as early as 2026.
If that timeline holds, Anthropic may go public only months before or after its biggest rival, OpenAI, which is reportedly eyeing the second half of the same year.
The race is on.
A Startup Growing at Lightning Speed
Anthropic has been expanding at a pace that feels almost unreal for a four-year-old company.
Its last major funding round in September brought in $13 billion, pushing its valuation to $183 billion.
Now, the company is reportedly exploring another round, one that could place its value above $300 billion.
Companies don’t usually aim for an IPO at this scale unless they’re confident in their financials, their product pipeline, and their future story. Anthropic seems confident on all three fronts.
Here’s a quick snapshot of Anthropic’s financial climb:
| Funding Event | Reported Amount | Valuation |
|---|---|---|
| September raise | $13 billion | $183 billion |
| Expected new round | Undisclosed | Over $300 billion (reported target) |
| Potential IPO | N/A | Could be one of the largest ever |
That’s a steep jump in a short time. For a company founded in 2021, it’s almost unheard of.
Hiring Wilson Sonsini
Bringing in Wilson Sonsini is not a casual choice. Wilson Sonsini is famous in Silicon Valley.
The firm has guided giants like Google and Apple through major corporate milestones, including public offerings.
Anthropic has worked with them since 2022, but shifting their role to IPO preparation shows how far along the planning has progressed.
When a startup begins meeting with banks, reviewing internal processes, and polishing financials, it’s usually deep in IPO territory. Anthropic appears to be right there.
Anthropic Makes Its First Acquisition
Alongside the IPO prep, Anthropic also made a milestone decision. It bought Bun, a software maker known for developer tools.
It’s Anthropic’s first-ever acquisition, and it sends a clear message. The company is expanding its technical foundation and preparing for the level of scale expected of a public company.
Acquisitions often mark a transition from “hyper-growth startup” to “maturing industry leader.” Anthropic seems to be crossing that line now.
OpenAI Is Also Getting Ready
Anthropic isn’t the only one gearing up for Wall Street.
According to Reuters, OpenAI, valued at around $500 billion, has also started early IPO preparations.
While no date is set, both companies are clearly navigating similar timelines.
So, what does this mean for the AI race?
Two of the world’s biggest AI players could go public almost back-to-back. That doesn’t happen often. And when it does, the entire tech industry shifts.
Investors get new options.
Talent gets reshuffled.
Products get better, or more competitive.
It’s like watching two rockets line up on the same launchpad.
The Bigger Picture: Why Go Public Now?
Anthropic and OpenAI both operate high-cost businesses. Training frontier AI models requires enormous computing power, and the money to pay for it.
Going public could help:
- Raise billions for future models
- Expand cloud partnerships
- Build safety and research teams
- Scale global distribution
In simple terms, they need Wall Street’s money to build the next generation of AI.
What to Watch in the Coming Months
The coming months will likely bring more activity from Anthropic: continued talks with investment banks, additional financial reviews, and possibly more strategic acquisitions.
Each step brings the company closer to ringing the bell on Wall Street.
What’s clear is this: the future of AI isn’t just unfolding in research labs anymore.
It’s heading straight to the public markets, and Anthropic wants to be one of the first through the door.
