Anthropic’s Strategic Moves Signal Imminent IPO and Expansion in AI Sector
Anthropic, the innovative AI startup renowned for its Claude chatbot, is actively preparing for a potential initial public offering (IPO) as early as 2026. The company has engaged the esteemed law firm Wilson Sonsini to guide this process, marking a significant step toward entering the public market.
Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic has rapidly ascended in the AI industry. The company’s flagship product, Claude, has garnered a substantial user base, contributing to its impressive growth trajectory. Currently, Anthropic is in discussions for a private funding round that could elevate its valuation beyond $300 billion, a substantial increase from its $183 billion valuation in September 2025. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/anthropic-plans-an-ipo-early-2026-ft-reports-2025-12-03/?utm_source=openai))
The decision to pursue an IPO aligns with Anthropic’s strategic objectives to enhance capital-raising capabilities and facilitate larger acquisitions through public stock. This move comes amid a surge in AI adoption, driven by increased enterprise technology investments and a growing appetite among investors for AI-driven innovations. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/anthropic-plans-an-ipo-early-2026-ft-reports-2025-12-03/?utm_source=openai))
In addition to its IPO preparations, Anthropic has been actively expanding its technological capabilities. The recent acquisition of developer tool company Bun aims to bolster the speed and stability of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. Bun’s comprehensive software toolkit, which includes code runtime, package management, bundling, and testing features, is expected to significantly enhance Anthropic’s AI code-generation capabilities. This acquisition underscores Anthropic’s commitment to investing in developer tools and improving its product offerings. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/anthropic-acquires-developer-tool-startup-bun-scale-ai-coding-2025-12-02/?utm_source=openai))
Anthropic’s growth is further evidenced by its expanding customer base, which now includes over 300,000 enterprise clients. The company projects its annualized revenue run rate to more than double, potentially reaching $26 billion in the coming year. This rapid growth positions Anthropic as a formidable competitor in the AI sector, particularly against rivals like OpenAI, which is also exploring a future IPO with a potential valuation of up to $1 trillion. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/anthropic-plans-an-ipo-early-2026-ft-reports-2025-12-03/?utm_source=openai))
The company’s expansion is not limited to financial growth. Anthropic has announced plans to invest $50 billion in building custom data centers across the United States, in partnership with infrastructure provider Fluidstack. These facilities, located in Texas and New York, aim to bolster the nation’s AI infrastructure and align with governmental initiatives to position the U.S. as a global leader in AI. This investment is expected to create 800 permanent jobs and 2,400 construction jobs, further contributing to the domestic economy. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/technology/anthropic-invest-50-billion-build-data-centers-us-2025-11-12/?utm_source=openai))
Internationally, Anthropic is expanding its footprint by opening new offices in Paris and Munich. This move is part of a broader strategy to triple its global workforce in response to increasing demand for its Claude AI models outside the U.S. The European market has become Anthropic’s fastest-growing region, with revenue increasing more than ninefold over the past year. The new offices will support a range of functions, including research, engineering, sales, and operations, serving clients such as L’Oréal, BMW, SAP, Lovable, and N26. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ai-startup-anthropic-expands-europe-with-offices-paris-munich-2025-11-07/?utm_source=openai))
As Anthropic continues to prepare for its IPO, the company is also engaging in discussions with major investment banks. While these talks are still in early stages and informal, they indicate a proactive approach to selecting IPO underwriters and ensuring a successful public offering. The engagement of Wilson Sonsini, a law firm with a history of advising on major tech IPOs, further underscores Anthropic’s commitment to a well-structured and strategic entry into the public market.
In contrast, OpenAI, another major player in the AI industry, is reportedly preparing for what could be one of the largest IPOs ever, with a potential valuation of up to $1 trillion. The company is laying the groundwork to go public and may file with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026. This development highlights the intensifying competition in the AI sector and the race among leading companies to secure substantial market positions through public offerings. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/anthropic-plans-an-ipo-early-2026-ft-reports-2025-12-03/?utm_source=openai))
Anthropic’s strategic initiatives, including its IPO preparations, technological acquisitions, and domestic and international expansions, reflect a comprehensive approach to solidifying its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As the company continues to innovate and grow, its forthcoming IPO is poised to be a significant milestone, potentially setting new benchmarks in the AI industry and the broader technology sector.
