The $3 Trillion Opportunity: SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic's Anticipated 2026 IPOs
- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Key Findings
SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are reportedly preparing for IPOs in 2026 that could collectively exceed $3 trillion in valuation.
SpaceX is targeting a $1.5 trillion IPO, fueled by Starlink's profitability and plans to accelerate Starship's Mars colonization and develop space-based AI data centers.
OpenAI is eyeing a $1 trillion IPO to fund the development of GPT-6 and the Stargate supercomputing infrastructure.
Anthropic, the dark horse, may leapfrog OpenAI by going public in early 2026 with a $300 billion valuation, capitalizing on the enterprise popularity of its Claude models.
Background
The impending IPO wave represents a seismic shift in the tech landscape, as these companies move from the private to the public domain, where they will face heightened scrutiny around profitability and growth expectations. While SpaceX has demonstrated a resilient business model with Starlink, OpenAI and Anthropic remain in cash-burning growth phases, raising questions about whether their sky-high valuations are justified.
SpaceX: Reaching for the Stars
SpaceX is reportedly targeting a $1.5 trillion IPO, driven by Starlink's consistent profitability, which accounted for nearly 70% of the company's revenue in 2025.
The IPO proceeds would be channeled into two ambitious ventures: accelerating Musk's Starship Mars colonization program and developing "space-based AI data centers," a bold attempt to relocate energy-intensive AI computing into orbit.
OpenAI: The Capital-Intensive AI Titan
After a major restructuring and a massive infusion of capital from SoftBank in 2025, OpenAI is considering a $1 trillion IPO to fund the development of GPT-6 and its Stargate supercomputing infrastructure.
CEO Sam Altman's reluctance to run a public company may be outweighed by the staggering capital demands of OpenAI's next-generation AI projects.
Anthropic: The Dark Horse Challenger
Founded by former OpenAI employees, Anthropic has reportedly engaged Wilson Sonsini to prepare for an IPO, targeting a $300 billion valuation.
Buoyed by the strong enterprise reputation of its Claude models and the dual endorsement of Amazon and Google, Anthropic may aim to go public in the first half of 2026, beating OpenAI to the punch.
Implications: Scrutiny and Accountability
The entry of these tech giants into the public markets will subject them to greater scrutiny from investors, particularly around profitability and growth trajectories.
While SpaceX has demonstrated a more resilient business model with Starlink, OpenAI and Anthropic remain firmly in cash-burning growth phases, raising questions about whether their lofty valuations are justified.
Sources
https://securityonline.info/the-3-trillion-tidal-wave-spacex-openai-and-anthropic-gear-up-for-2026-ipos/
https://x.com/the_yellow_fall/status/2006906126458302920


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