Anthropic IPO set to be windfall for early investors

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt stands to gain substantially from Anthropic’s upcoming IPO, owning about a 1% stake in the AI startup he invested in during 2021. The company’s valuation could reach up to $2 trillion at its public debut, potentially increasing Schmidt’s net worth by billions of dollars and marking a major milestone for AI investors.

Former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt is poised to realize one of the largest individual gains from the impending initial public offering (IPO) of artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, according to people familiar with the matter. Schmidt, who invested tens of millions of dollars in Anthropic’s Series A funding round in 2021, holds an estimated 1% stake in the company.

Anthropic, founded by seven co-founders who each held fortunes valued at approximately $8 billion following its last private funding round, is preparing to launch an IPO that could significantly increase the wealth of its early investors and employees. The company’s valuation at the time of Schmidt’s initial investment was roughly $461 million.

Recent market indications suggest that Anthropic’s valuation could reach between $1.8 trillion and $2 trillion at the time of its public debut. If the company achieves the upper end of this range, Schmidt’s stake alone could elevate his net worth by around one-third, potentially bringing it close to $80 billion. Even using a more conservative valuation of $965 billion, his Anthropic holdings would add nearly $10 billion to his estimated fortune of $57.5 billion.

Schmidt, 71, has become an active investor in the technology sector, using platforms such as TomorrowVentures, Innovation Endeavors, and his Hillspire family office to back a wide array of ventures. While earlier investments spanned consumer internet, software, and financial technology, recent activity has focused heavily on artificial intelligence, including firms such as Mistral AI, Reflection AI, and World Labs.

Anthropic’s public offering is expected to formally commence marketing the week of November 9, with a trading debut anticipated before the Thanksgiving holiday or by the end of the year at the latest. The company’s potential valuation, if realized, would surpass other prominent investment successes, such as Innovation Endeavors’ early stake in Uber Technologies Inc. in 2011.

Neither Schmidt nor Anthropic have provided public comment regarding the investment or the upcoming IPO.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.