AI Start-Up Anthropic Poised to Surpass SpaceX as Top IPO Contender in 2026

Key Points

• SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX) raised $85.7 billion in its initial public offering, nearly tripling the previous record for largest IPO.

• Current market predictions indicate a 63% chance that Anthropic could surpass SpaceX as the largest IPO of 2026.

• Anthropic’s annual sales run rate surged from $9 billion to $65 billion within six months as of July 2026.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, made headlines in October 2026 after its stunning IPO, raising $85.7 billion and securing a market valuation of $1.77 trillion by pricing approximately 555.6 million shares at $135 each. This historic event may not last, as prediction markets suggest that AI start-up Anthropic could surpass SpaceX, with a 63% likelihood according to Polymarket data as of August 26, 2026.

Anthropic’s rapid growth is evidenced by its sales trajectory, climbing from $9 billion to an expected $65 billion by mid-2026, boosted by high-profile clients like Meta Platforms and Microsoft, along with backing from Amazon and Alphabet. Despite these promising numbers, both companies face skepticism about sustaining their lofty valuations in a historically volatile IPO landscape.