Anthropic Surpasses OpenAI as Leading AI Startup with $900 Billion Valuation

Anthropic has emerged as the most valuable AI startup, surpassing OpenAI with a projected valuation of $900 billion following a significant funding round. The company is on track to achieve its first profitable quarter, driven by impressive revenue growth and new AI model launches. As Anthropic prepares for a public offering, OpenAI is also gearing up for its IPO, highlighting the competitive landscape in the AI sector. This article delves into the latest developments and financial milestones of both companies, offering insights into the future of artificial intelligence.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2026, 09:52 IST

Anthropic Takes the Lead in AI Valuation

Anthropic has now surpassed OpenAI to claim the title of the most valuable artificial intelligence startup globally, moving ahead of Sam Altman's firm, which was valued at $852 billion earlier this year. The company, known for its Claude series of large language models (LLMs), has successfully secured $65 billion in Series H funding, with contributions from notable investors such as Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital. This funding round includes previously committed investments, notably a reported $5 billion from Amazon.

Reports indicate that Anthropic is planning to go public by the end of this year, with an anticipated valuation of $900 billion. The company is projected to generate $10.9 billion in revenue for the second quarter, which, if achieved, would mark its first profitable quarter, following a revenue of $4.8 billion in the first quarter.

CFO Krishan Rai mentioned that the recent investment would enable the company to meet the increasing demand from customers and further expand the Claude models in workplace and enterprise settings. CEO Dario Amodei highlighted that the company experienced nearly 80 times year-over-year growth in both revenue and usage during the first quarter of 2026.

Additionally, Anthropic has unveiled new AI models, including Claude Opus 4.8 and Claude Mythos Preview, the latter focusing on cybersecurity applications. Founded in 2021 by Dario Amodei, Daniela Amodei, and a team of former OpenAI executives and researchers, Anthropic is making significant strides in the AI sector.

Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly collaborating with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to prepare for a confidential filing of its IPO prospectus in the near future. The AI giant is currently valued at over $850 billion by private investors and has raised around $180 billion in total, with Microsoft and SoftBank being among its major backers.