OpenAI is considering an initial public offering in 2027, potentially after Anthropic’s anticipated October IPO, as both AI giants aim to secure public funding for aggressive infrastructure investments.
- Anthropic likely to IPO before OpenAI, possibly October 2026
- OpenAI postpones IPO plans amid tech stock volatility
- Both companies seek funds for AI infrastructure expansion
What happened
OpenAI and Anthropic have both confidentially filed for initial public offerings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Anthropic, maker of the Claude AI model, is reportedly planning to go public as early as October 2026, potentially ahead of OpenAI’s anticipated IPO in 2027.
OpenAI had initially targeted a fall 2026 listing but is now reconsidering the timing due to recent volatility in technology stocks and ongoing internal deliberations. The company has highlighted that going public will provide the flexibility to fund its substantial investments in AI hardware and infrastructure.
Why it matters
The IPOs by leading AI firms represent a critical step in opening investment opportunities to public markets, which could accelerate innovation and competition in artificial intelligence technologies. OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s access to public capital will help them sustain their rapid growth and substantial spending on data centers, chips, and research.
The timing and success of these IPOs will be closely watched indicators of market appetite for AI-related stocks amid fluctuating tech valuations. These developments also influence investor sentiment and valuations of companies associated with AI ecosystems, including major backers and partners.
What to watch next
Market participants should monitor Anthropic’s IPO progress this fall, which will set a precedent for OpenAI’s eventual debut. The performance of Anthropic’s public offering could impact OpenAI’s decision on final timing and valuation strategies.
Additionally, investors will focus on how OpenAI navigates the IPO process with major underwriters and manages market conditions ahead of its proposed 2027 listing deadline. The scale and structure of the offering will reveal much about the future financing landscape for AI infrastructure and related technologies.