OpenAI Files for IPO, Following Anthropic’s Lead
· Hayden Field
OpenAI just took a big step toward its long awaited IPO. On Monday, the company quietly submitted a confidential Form S-1 to the SEC.
OpenAI just took a big step toward its long awaited IPO. On Monday, the company quietly submitted a confidential Form S-1 to the SEC. This puts them in a direct race with rival Anthropic, which did the same thing back on June 1st. The two AI giants have been jockeying for this position for nearly a year.
Because it’s a confidential filing, a lot of the juicy details remain private for now. Things like executive pay, specific financial numbers, and potential business risks are all under wraps. That’s standard for these early steps, but it means we can’t compare the two companies’ books just yet.
As of its last fundraising round, Anthropic was being called the world’s most valuable startup, with a post money valuation that turned heads. OpenAI’s filing doesn’t change that label overnight, but it signals they’re serious about going public soon. The next few months will likely see more details leak out as regulators review both submissions.
For now, the big takeaway is simple: the AI industry’s biggest players are moving from private hype to public markets. If both IPOs go through, investors will finally get a clear look at who’s actually making money and who’s just spending it. That could reshape the entire landscape.