ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Claude developer Anthropic are reportedly locked in another round of AI battle. Both companies announced back-to-back efforts to expand enterprise adoption of AI tools by forming new ventures backed by major financial institutions.
OpenAI's New Venture
OpenAI has reportedly raised more than $4 billion from investors, including TPG, Brookfield Asset Management, Advent, and Bain Capital, to set up a new venture focused on helping businesses deploy AI software. According to a Bloomberg report, OpenAI's new entity is called "The Deployment Company" and is expected to focus on integrating its AI tools into business operations. The venture is valued at around $10 billion and will remain majority-controlled by OpenAI. Additional partners include Dragoneer Investment Group and SoftBank.
Anthropic's Counter Move
Within minutes of OpenAI's announcement, Anthropic announced that it is partnering with Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman Sachs to launch a similar initiative. Anthropic's venture will centre on deploying its Claude AI system across companies, including those owned by its financial backers and external clients. It has also secured support from Apollo Global Management, General Atlantic, Leonard Green & Partners, GIC, and Sequoia Capital.
What Blackstone Said
In an official announcement, Blackstone wrote: "Anthropic, Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman Sachs today announced the formation of a new AI-native enterprise services firm that will work with companies to rapidly bring Claude into their core business operations. The new firm is a standalone entity with Anthropic engineering and partnership resources embedded directly within its team. Alongside the founding partners, the new company is backed by a consortium of leading alternative asset managers including General Atlantic, Leonard Green, Apollo Global Management, GIC, and Sequoia Capital. The new firm will benefit from the consortium's broad network of hundreds of companies to design, build, and maintain enterprise AI deployments, establishing a scalable platform for sustained growth."
Focus on Real-World Deployment
Both companies are focusing on increasing real-world usage of their AI tools, supported by teams often referred to as forward-deployed engineers who help businesses implement AI in daily operations. This shift comes as both companies explore public listing plans, making adoption and revenue growth key priorities.
