Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly owns approximately 1% of Anthropic, a stake that could be worth as much as $20 billion if the AI company achieves a $2 trillion valuation in its anticipated initial public offering (IPO). Schmidt acquired the stake through an early investment in 2021, when Anthropic was valued at just $461 million.
According to an October 19 Bloomberg report, Schmidt invested tens of millions of dollars during Anthropic’s Series A funding round. The reported holding is approximately half the 2% stake owned by Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei.
Schmidt’s Early Investment Could Generate Billions
Anthropic was founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, including Dario and Daniela Amodei, and develops the Claude family of AI models. The company has since attracted substantial funding from investors, including Amazon and Google, as demand for generative AI technology has increased.
Schmidt’s investment came when Anthropic was valued at $461 million, according to PitchBook data. A $2 trillion valuation would represent an increase of more than 4,300 times from that early valuation.
Bloomberg currently estimates Schmidt’s net worth at approximately $57.5 billion. If Anthropic reaches a $2 trillion valuation and Schmidt retains his reported 1% ownership, his stake would be worth around $20 billion, although the amount he could realize would depend on share sales and market conditions.
The actual value remains uncertain because Anthropic has not finalized its public offering valuation. Some investors have discussed a valuation closer to $1.5 trillion, which would place a 1% holding at approximately $15 billion.
Anthropic Prepares for Public Market Debut
Anthropic is preparing for a potential IPO before the end of 2026, with investors evaluating its financial performance and growth prospects. The company has expanded its enterprise AI offerings through Claude, including coding tools and applications designed for business customers.
According to Reuters, it remains unclear whether Schmidt has sold any portion of his original investment. Neither Schmidt nor Anthropic provided confirmation of the reported ownership figure.
The company’s public listing could also generate substantial returns for its employees and other early investors. However, the final valuation and proceeds will depend on the offering price, ownership arrangements, and subsequent share trading.
Schmidt Continues Investing in AI Startups
Schmidt served as Google‘s chief executive from 2001 to 2011 before taking on other leadership roles at the company and its parent, Alphabet. Since leaving the CEO position, he has remained active in technology investing through several investment vehicles.
His investment activities include Tomorrow Ventures, Innovation Endeavors Management, and his family office, Hillspire. Schmidt has also backed AI companies including Mistral, General Intuition, and Reflection AI, alongside his reported investment in Anthropic.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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