AI startup Anthropic, known for its generative AI chatbot Claude, is in late-stage negotiations to raise up to $2 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to an impressive $60 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by CNBC. The company, founded by former OpenAI executives and heavily backed by Amazon, is positioning itself as a major player in the competitive generative AI market, which includes tech giants like OpenAI, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft.
Key Backers and Business Model
Amazon, which has already invested $8 billion in Anthropic, continues to be a significant backer of the company. Google has also invested $2 billion into the AI startup. Anthropic’s AI models, including Claude, are widely used in industries such as customer service, sales, and marketing, and are integrated into third-party platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company generated $875 million in annual revenue, a clear indicator of its growing market presence.
The Generative AI Race
This latest funding round will likely be supported by venture capital firm Lightspeed, which has backed Anthropic in the past. With generative AI projected to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030, and the total economic potential of AI software and services estimated at $15.5-$22.9 trillion annually by 2040 (according to McKinsey), Anthropic is positioned to play a pivotal role in the rapidly expanding sector.
Investment in AI and Market Dynamics
The U.S. venture capital scene has seen significant investments in AI startups, with $97 billion invested in AI ventures in 2024 alone, according to PitchBook. This amount accounted for nearly half of all venture capital investments in the year, underscoring the immense interest and competition in the AI space.
As Anthropic continues to develop cutting-edge AI technologies, the company’s next steps in securing this funding round will be crucial in solidifying its position in the generative AI arms race.
