Anthropic, the AI startup known for its Claude chatbot, is in advanced discussions to raise $2 billion in new capital at a valuation of $60 billion, according to a report by The Wallstreet Journal. Lightspeed Venture Partners is set to lead the funding round, marking one of the largest investments in the AI sector.
Key Points:
- The $2 billion funding round, if closed, would value Anthropic at $60 billion, making it the fifth most valuable U.S. startup.
- Anthropic recently hit $875 million in annualized revenue, falling short of its previously projected $1 billion target.
- Lightspeed Venture Partners, leading the round, has previously backed other AI players like Mistral and Stability AI.
- Amazon remains a key partner, having committed $4 billion to Anthropic in 2024, with AWS serving as the primary infrastructure for Anthropic's AI model training.
This aggressive valuation reflects investors' confidence in Anthropic's technical capabilities, particularly in coding applications where it has made significant strides in catching up with OpenAI. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, Anthropic has quickly risen as a formidable competitor in the AI space.
Its Claude chatbot has gained traction among enterprise clients, though it still trails OpenAI's ChatGPT in terms of mainstream adoption. The company’s valuation has more than tripled from $18 billion in 2023, underscoring growing investor confidence despite falling slightly short of its $1 billion annualized revenue target.
Lightspeed Venture Partners’ involvement signals a strategic bet on Anthropic’s long-term potential. The firm, known for its early-stage investments, is shifting focus towards more mature AI companies amid an industry-wide surge in valuations.
Chris McKay
Amazon remains a critical ally for Anthropic, with a $4 billion investment in convertible notes in late 2024, set to convert into equity at this new valuation. AWS continues to serve as Anthropic's primary cloud infrastructure provider, while Amazon also resells Anthropic's models to its cloud customers.
The broader AI investment landscape reflects continued optimism despite rising costs and competitive pressures. Anthropic’s fundraising aligns with similar moves by other AI giants, including OpenAI’s $6.6 billion raise in October 2024 and Elon Musk's xAI securing $6 billion in November.
While these valuations might raise eyebrows, they reflect a broader shift in venture capital strategy. Traditional early-stage investors are increasingly willing to back more mature companies at higher valuations, betting on the transformative potential of AI technology despite the substantial costs and intense competition in the sector.