Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind the popular Claude chatbot, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering on the US stock market, the firm announced on Monday. This move marks a significant step in the escalating financial competition within the AI sector, as rivals such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and OpenAI also prepare to go public this year.
Confidential Filing Details
Anthropic did not disclose its targeted valuation or other terms of the offering. However, the startup revealed on Thursday that it had secured $65bn in funding, valuing the company at $965bn post-money. This represents a dramatic increase from its $380bn valuation in February. The confidential filing allows regulators to review the company's financial disclosures before the investor prospectus becomes public, a common practice among major firms. SpaceX has approached its IPO in the same manner.
Rise to Prominence
Anthropic's filing continues what has been a banner year for the company. It also pre-empts rival OpenAI, which is expected to file for its own IPO imminently. With its latest valuation, Anthropic has leapfrogged OpenAI to become the world's most valuable startup. The company's rapid ascent has been fueled by the release of Claude's advanced coding assistant products late last year, which have proven popular with software engineers and business clients.
IPO Timeline and Market Conditions
Anthropic announced the filing in a brief blogpost, stating: "This gives us the option to go public after the SEC completes its review. The proposed initial public offering will depend on market conditions and other factors." The company is expected to go public as early as fall of this year, though no exact timeline or share count was provided.
Political and Cultural Engagement
As Anthropic seeks to establish its market presence, it is also growing in cultural and political prominence. The firm spent $1.6m on lobbying efforts in the first quarter of 2026 alone, up from $360,000 during the same period the previous year. It is currently engaged in a high-profile lawsuit against Donald Trump's administration over the use of its Claude AI by the Pentagon, which has designated the company a "supply chain risk" and blacklisted it from military work.
The Broader AI Race
The filing underscores the rising financial stakes of the AI race, with Elon Musk's SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic all slated to go public this year. SpaceX has filed for a stock market float at a valuation of about $1.75tn as it seeks $75bn in investment. The confidential filing process gives Anthropic flexibility as it navigates market conditions and regulatory review before its public debut.
