The recent funding round for the US-based AI firm Anthropic has resulted in a valuation of approximately US$380 billion, marking one of the largest private investments in the technology sector. This significant capital influx, led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, reflects a growing interest from global investors in pioneering AI companies amid intensifying competition in the field.
Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic has established itself as a key player in enterprise AI, particularly with its Claude family of large language models. The company has reported a surge in demand from businesses utilizing Claude for diverse applications such as coding, research, and document automation. GIC's involvement builds on its previous investment during Anthropic's Series F round, aligning with its strategy to support high-growth tech firms.
This funding announcement coincides with Singapore’s Budget 2026, presented by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which outlines plans to leverage AI for economic and industrial advancement. The budget includes initiatives to promote AI adoption, such as expanding the Enterprise Innovation Scheme and launching the Champions of AI program. These efforts aim to ensure that Singapore remains competitive in the evolving global AI landscape.