The "unicorn" battle in the global AI field has once again shattered people's perceptions. According to insiders, the AI giant Anthropic is advancing a major share sale agreement. Under this plan, some employees will be allowed to sell their shares, and the company's valuation involved in this transaction has reached as high as $350 billion (approximately 243 billion yuan).

While allowing employees to "cash out," Anthropic's fundraising machine is also running at full speed. It is reported that the company is currently conducting a new round of financing exceeding $2 billion. Notably, the $350 billion valuation is a "pre-money valuation," meaning it does not yet include the substantial funding from this round. If the financing is successfully completed, Anthropic's actual value will further increase.

This so-called "secondary market transaction" for equity liquidation is becoming a key method for top startups to retain core talent. In today's highly competitive AI talent market, where going public still takes time, allowing employees to cash out their equity early not only provides liquidity but also enhances employee loyalty.

Currently, Anthropic's competitors are also taking similar actions. SpaceX and Stripe have conducted such transactions multiple times before, and its top rival OpenAI recently completed a secondary share sale at a valuation of $500 billion. With OpenAI and SpaceX both recently announcing preparations for IPOs, Anthropic's current cash-out plan and large-scale financing are seen as an important step in consolidating its position in the intense market competition.

Key Points:

  • 💰 Massive Valuation Increase: Anthropic plans to allow employees to cash out shares at a valuation of $35 billion, a figure that demonstrates the market's high recognition of its technological capabilities.

  • 🚀 Huge Capital Injection: The company is simultaneously conducting a new round of financing exceeding $2 billion, which could help accelerate its efforts in computing power and model development.

  • ⚔️ Talent Protection: Faced with fierce competition from rivals like OpenAI, solving employees' equity cash-out needs through secondary market equity transactions has become a "standard move" for top AI startups.