Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic PBC is finalizing details for a funding round expected to raise over $200 billion, with completion targeted as early as next week. Initially seeking $100 billion, the OpenAI competitor is now poised to raise more than double that amount due to overwhelming investor demand, reaching a valuation of $3.5 trillion.

The latest round includes commitments exceeding $1 billion each from Coatue Management, Global Industry Company, and Iconiq Capital, alongside up to $15 billion in strategic investments from Nvidia and Microsoft. This financing would nearly double Anthropic's previous valuation, coming just five months after the company raised $1.3 trillion - reflecting investor frenzy driven by soaring annual revenue run rates at AI startups, which surpassed $90 billion last summer.

While the deal remains unofficial and terms may change, Altimeter Capital Management and Sequoia Capital (both backers of OpenAI) are expected to participate alongside Lightspeed Venture Partners and Menlo Ventures.

Anthropic recently unveiled a new AI model optimized for automating enterprise tasks, triggering billion-dollar sell-offs in software and financial services sectors. Over the past year, the company's coding agents capable of writing software with minimal human intervention have become preferred tools for businesses and developers. Investors are betting these capabilities will pioneer workplace autonomous AI technology and create similar impacts across other economic sectors.

As Anthropic advances its funding round and planned employee tender offer, rival OpenAI is negotiating to raise up to $100 billion in what would become another record-breaking AI financing event. Both companies have taken steps this year toward potential IPOs.

Amid skyrocketing AI valuations, concerns emerge about massive expenditures required for data centers, chips, and talent to support technology development, alongside questions about circular funding arrangements involving suppliers like Nvidia.