Venture capital backs both OpenAI and Anthropic as AI rivals gear up for IPOs

About 90 venture‑capital firms have stakes in both OpenAI and Anthropic, the two leading AI labs that have been competing for talent, customers and policy influence. Data from PitchBook shows roughly 42% of OpenAI’s investors also back Anthropic, and a third of Anthropic’s investors sit on OpenAI’s cap table. The overlap includes heavyweight names such as Sequoia Capital, Greylock, Founders Fund and Amazon. With both companies planning public listings this year after raising over $100 billion each, investors appear to be betting on the broader AI market rather than picking a single winner. Read more

Nov 14, 2025

VCs Abandon Old Rules for a ‘Funky Time’ Investing in AI Startups

Venture capitalists are revising their playbooks for AI startups, emphasizing rapid growth, data generation, and strong go‑to‑market strategies. Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures described the shift as a “funky time” at TechCrunch Disrupt, noting that traditional metrics are giving way to new variables such as competitive moats and technical depth. Jon McNeill of DVx Ventures highlighted the heightened scrutiny on seed‑stage companies, while Steve Jang of Kindred Ventures stressed the need for both solid technology and robust marketing. The panelists agreed that the AI sector remains early‑stage, leaving room for challengers to unseat incumbents. Read more