Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt holds significant stake in AI startup Anthropic

OPA WIRE, Oct 20 (OPA) — Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt holds a stake in Anthropic estimated at 1%, according to a report by Bloomberg. Schmidt secured the position by investing tens of millions of dollars during the company’s Series A funding round in 2021, when the startup held a valuation of $461 million.

This holding represents a substantial portion of the company’s equity, amounting to roughly half the 2% stake held by Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei. Neither Schmidt nor Anthropic representatives responded to requests for comment regarding the reported ownership figures.

Schmidt has maintained an active investment portfolio since leaving Google in 2011, operating through entities including Tomorrow Ventures, Innovation Endeavors Management, and his family office, Hillspire. His broader portfolio includes investments in AI firms such as Mistral, General Intuition, and Reflection AI.

Anthropic is widely expected to pursue an initial public offering before the end of the year. Market analysts have projected a potential valuation as high as $2 trillion for the company. Should that valuation materialize, Schmidt’s stake could increase his current net worth of $57.5 billion by as much as $20 billion.