SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic Eye Possible 2026 IPOs at Sky-High Valuations

• SpaceX IPO timeline: Within the next year, as informed to backers by Elon Musk’s company.

• OpenAI engaging top law firms like Cooley for IPO preparations, with fresh funding talks underway.

• Anthropic hires Wilson Sonsini; combined IPOs could surpass 200 U.S. listings in 2025, per EY data, with $30B+ raised in tech IPOs this year.

SpaceX IPO nears with $800B valuation, joined by OpenAI ($750B+) & Anthropic ($300B+). Tech giants eye 2026 public debut, billions for early investors. Stay ahead—track these moves today!

What is the latest on the SpaceX IPO?

SpaceX IPO plans are advancing, with the company recently informing backers of intentions to list shares on stock exchanges within the coming year, provided no major financial market issues arise. Elon Musk’s space venture, valued at $800 billion in private share sales, could eclipse the $29 billion record set by Saudi Aramco’s 2019 offering. This move aligns with broader preparations, including executive hires and board restructuring, positioning SpaceX for a smooth transition to public markets.

What are the valuations and preparations for OpenAI and Anthropic IPOs?

OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, is in early discussions for new funding that could elevate its valuation beyond $750 billion, potentially raising tens of billions. The company has consulted top legal firms, including Cooley, though no final selection has been made. Anthropic has engaged Wilson Sonsini, a California-based law firm, to kickstart its public offering process, with investors anticipating a valuation exceeding $300 billion.

These preparations echo steps taken last year by both AI firms, such as recruiting executives from public companies, refining board governance, and attracting institutional investors accustomed to public equities. Peter Hébert, founder of Lux Capital, noted, “I can’t recall a crop like this—three private companies which would be among the largest public market caps in the world.” He added that while the odds of all three listing in 2026 are slim, it remains possible, promising an “epic bonanza” for venture capitalists, bankers, and deal attorneys.

Early investors stand to gain immensely. Founders Fund, linked to Peter Thiel, invested $20 million in SpaceX in 2008, with follow-on rounds ballooning its stake to tens of billions. Alphabet holds a multibillion-dollar position in SpaceX, while Khosla Ventures secured a 5 percent stake in OpenAI in 2019. EY data shows U.S. companies raised over $30 billion via IPOs in the first nine months of 2025, driven largely by tech firms like Figma, Klarna, CoreWeave, and Chime.

Frequently Asked Questions

When might SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic go public?

SpaceX aims for a listing within the next year barring market turmoil, while OpenAI and Anthropic are in early legal and funding preparations targeting potential 2026 debuts. These timelines depend on market conditions, but recent hires signal readiness, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

What impact could these IPOs have on the market compared to 2025?

These three firms alone could raise more than the roughly 200 U.S. IPOs of 2025, with SpaceX potentially topping Saudi Aramco’s record. Ryan Biggs, co-head of venture investment at Franklin Templeton, emphasized that such generational companies drive market trends rather than react to them.

Key Takeaways

• Record valuations: SpaceX at $800B, OpenAI eyeing $750B+, Anthropic over $300B, dwarfing recent private funding rounds.
• Investor windfalls: Early backers like Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures face multibillion-dollar gains from stakes held since 2008 and 2019.
• Market preparation: Firms have hired public-market veterans and law firms, enabling flexible IPO timing amid 2025’s $30B+ tech IPO surge per EY.

Conclusion

SpaceX IPO momentum, alongside OpenAI and Anthropic preparations, signals a transformative shift for private tech giants entering public markets, with valuations in the hundreds of billions potentially ushering in a record 2026. While market volatility from AI stock concerns and broader economic factors could alter plans, these companies’ foundational strength positions them as market leaders. Investors and observers should monitor developments closely for opportunities in one of the largest IPO waves in history.

Despite inquiries, SpaceX and OpenAI declined to comment. Other private giants like Databricks ($134B valuation) and Canva ($42B) are also weighing public options, per EY reports, amid a challenging yet resilient 2025 IPO landscape marked by sharp drops in stocks like Oracle and Broadcom over AI valuation worries.

These developments underscore the maturation of AI and space sectors, where companies once private powerhouses now eye Wall Street scrutiny for unprecedented capital raises.