Anthropic Seeks $900B Valuation as OpenAI-Microsoft Partnership Ends

Major AI Partnership Restructuring Shakes Industry

Anthropic is in talks with investors to raise funding at a $900 billion valuation, surpassing OpenAI’s $850 billion mark, while OpenAI and Microsoft announced the end of their exclusive partnership that has defined AI development since 2019. According to CNBC, the Anthropic funding round would position the Claude maker as the most valuable AI company globally.

The timing of these developments reflects a broader shift in AI industry dynamics, with companies seeking more operational flexibility and investors betting on emerging competitors to established players.

OpenAI Breaks Free from Microsoft Exclusivity

OpenAI and Microsoft announced Monday they are ending their exclusive partnership and revenue-sharing arrangement that began in 2019. Under the new agreement, OpenAI can license its models and products to any third party and on any cloud platform, including Microsoft competitors like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.

Forbes reported that Microsoft will no longer need to share a cut of its AI revenue with OpenAI, while OpenAI’s payments to Microsoft will be capped at a fixed ceiling rather than continuing indefinitely. Microsoft retains approximately 27% ownership in OpenAI, worth around $225 billion following OpenAI’s restructuring into a for-profit entity in October 2024.

The partnership grew strained as OpenAI’s computing demands outgrew Microsoft’s capacity, leading OpenAI to seek partnerships with rivals including the $500 billion Stargate data center project with Oracle and SoftBank.

Anthropic Targets Record-Breaking Valuation

Anthropic’s potential $900 billion valuation would represent a massive jump from previous funding rounds and establish the company as OpenAI’s primary competitor. CNBC confirmed the company is in active discussions with investors about the funding round.

The Claude maker announced earlier this month that its business has reached $30 billion in annualized revenue, providing fundamental support for the elevated valuation. This revenue milestone demonstrates Anthropic’s rapid scaling in enterprise AI applications and consumer adoption.

The funding talks come as Anthropic has positioned itself as a safety-focused alternative to OpenAI, emphasizing constitutional AI and responsible development practices that appeal to enterprise customers and regulators.

Indian Startup Snabbit Raises $50M at $400M Valuation

Meanwhile, India’s instant house-help startup Snabbit is close to raising $50 million at a $400 million valuation in a round led by Susquehanna Venture Capital. TechCrunch learned the Bengaluru-based company has attracted strong investor demand that may push the round to $55 million or higher.

The funding represents a 122% valuation increase from Snabbit’s $180 million valuation in its $30 million October 2025 round. Participants include Mirae Asset, FJ Labs, and existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Bertelsmann India Investments.

Snabbit connects households with on-demand domestic help for cleaning, dishwashing, and laundry through a managed network of workers. CEO Aayush Agarwal reported the company completed over one million jobs in March 2026 alone, up from 10,000 daily jobs in October 2025.

Amazon Expands Space Ambitions with $11.6B Globalstar Deal

Amazon announced plans to acquire satellite operator Globalstar for $90 per share in a cash-and-stock deal worth $11.6 billion. CNBC reported the acquisition, expected to close in 2027, will strengthen Amazon’s internet-from-space service called Amazon Leo.

The deal positions Amazon to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink in the satellite internet market. Amazon Leo aims to provide global broadband coverage through a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, supporting both consumer internet access and AWS cloud services.

The acquisition represents Amazon’s largest space-related investment and signals the company’s commitment to competing in the emerging space economy alongside traditional cloud computing services.

Market Reactions and Competitive Dynamics

Microsoft shares dropped approximately 1% in early Monday trading following the OpenAI partnership announcement, reflecting investor uncertainty about the tech giant’s AI strategy without exclusive access to OpenAI’s technology. However, the arrangement frees Microsoft from ongoing revenue-sharing obligations while maintaining significant ownership.

The developments highlight intensifying competition in AI infrastructure and applications. OpenAI’s newfound flexibility allows partnerships with multiple cloud providers, potentially reducing costs and improving service reliability through diversified infrastructure.

Anthropic’s pursuit of a $900 billion valuation demonstrates investor confidence in AI alternatives to OpenAI, particularly those emphasizing safety and enterprise applications. The company’s $30 billion annualized revenue provides substantial validation for premium valuations in the AI sector.

What This Means

These developments signal a maturation of the AI industry from exclusive partnerships toward more competitive, diversified relationships. OpenAI’s break from Microsoft exclusivity enables broader market access while reducing dependency risks, potentially accelerating AI adoption across cloud platforms.

Anthropic’s record-seeking valuation reflects investor belief that the AI market can support multiple $500+ billion companies, moving beyond winner-take-all assumptions. The company’s safety-first positioning and enterprise traction suggest differentiated value propositions can command premium valuations.

For the broader AI ecosystem, these changes indicate a shift from partnership-dependent strategies toward platform-agnostic approaches. Companies are prioritizing operational flexibility and market access over exclusive arrangements, potentially leading to more innovation and competitive pricing.

FAQ

Why did OpenAI end its exclusive partnership with Microsoft?
OpenAI sought greater operational flexibility to partner with multiple cloud providers and reduce dependency on Microsoft’s infrastructure, which couldn’t meet all of OpenAI’s growing computing demands.

How does Anthropic’s $900B valuation compare to other AI companies?
The $900 billion target would make Anthropic more valuable than OpenAI’s $850 billion valuation and position it among the world’s most valuable private companies, reflecting strong enterprise adoption of Claude.

What makes Snabbit’s $400M valuation significant for Indian startups?
The 122% valuation jump in six months demonstrates strong investor appetite for on-demand services in India’s growing urban market, where instant house-help addresses real consumer needs in busy metropolitan areas.