Anthropic overtook OpenAI to become the most expensive AI startup

May 28, 2026. In a seismic shift that has reshaped the artificial intelligence landscape, American AI developer Anthropic has officially surpassed OpenAI to claim the title of the most valuable AI startup globally. The company announced today that it has successfully closed a monumental Series H funding round, securing an astounding $65 billion and catapulting its valuation to an unprecedented $965 billion.

The massive investment round was spearheaded by a consortium of prominent venture capital firms, including Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital. This significant infusion of capital is a testament to the explosive growth and immense promise demonstrated by Anthropic, particularly driven by the burgeoning popularity of its AI assistant for programmers, Claude Code.

According to internal reports, Anthropic's revenue has experiencedmeteoric growth, reaching an annual run rate of $47 billion. This marks a dramatic leap from the $10 billion reported just last year, underscoring the increasing adoption and demand for their cutting-edge AI solutions.

"This new funding will be instrumental in meeting the historic demand for our products, allowing us to remain at the forefront of research and development, and to integrate Claude into even more workflows and industries," stated Krishna Rao, Anthropic's Chief Financial Officer. "Our focus remains on building safe and beneficial AI, and this investment will significantly accelerate our mission."

The $965 billion valuation represents a nearly threefold increase from Anthropic's valuation in February of this year, when it stood at $380 billion. This remarkable surge has now positioned Anthropic as the most highly valued artificial intelligence company in Silicon Valley, eclipsing its primary rival, OpenAI. OpenAI, which had recently closed a record-breaking $122 billion funding round in late March, was valued at $852 billion prior to this latest announcement.

The Series H funding round signifies a late stage of investment for Anthropic, indicating a highly mature business with substantial revenue and a clear trajectory towards a potential initial public offering (IPO). This stage of financing is typically characterized by significant capital injections aimed at scaling operations, expanding market reach, and solidifying a company's position as a market leader.

Silicon Valley, the global epicenter of technological innovation, continues to be the crucible where these AI titans forge their futures. With this latest development, the competition between Anthropic and OpenAI is set to intensify, driving further advancements and potentially redefining the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can achieve. The AI revolution shows no signs of slowing down, and Anthropic's newfound status as the undisputed leader signals a new era of unparalleled innovation and growth in the field.