Anthropic tells prospective IPO investors Q3 revenue reached $16.8B, up 45% from Q2
- Amount
- $17B
- Place in VP50
- #1
- Sources
- 3
- Claims verified
- 7 of 7
What happened
Anthropic told prospective investors in its planned initial public offering that revenue for the third quarter, which ended September 30, 2026, was $16.8 billion. The New York Times reported the figure on October 14, 2026, describing it as a 45% jump. CNBC, citing people familiar with the matter on October 15, said revenue rose from about $11.6 billion in the second quarter and reported first-quarter revenue of $4.7 billion. Reuters reported the quarter on October 14 as a 45% rise to nearly $17 billion.
According to CNBC's sources, the company also told investors it was profitable on an adjusted basis in the third quarter. The New York Times reported that Anthropic put its gross margin, meaning revenue minus the direct costs of producing it, at 85 percent after certain adjustments. The figures were supplied by the company and were not audited, and both the profit and the margin were measured on adjusted bases.
Key points
- Third-quarter 2026 revenue was $16.8 billion, as told to prospective IPO investors.12
- Revenue grew 45%, from about $11.6 billion in the second quarter.123
- First-quarter revenue was reported at $4.7 billion.2
- Anthropic said it was profitable on an adjusted basis in the third quarter.2
- Gross margin was put at 85 percent after certain adjustments.1
Why it matters
A quarterly revenue figure gives holders and prospective investors a reported number to set against the company's last round valuation. The figure is company-supplied and unaudited.
Both the profit and the 85 percent gross margin are on adjusted bases. How the adjustments are defined affects how comparable they are with other companies' reported figures.
The numbers were given to prospective IPO investors, so revenue and margin data were being shared with investors before a listing.
In context
| Round | Date | Post-money valuation | Raised | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series E | Mar 3, 2025 | $62B | $3.5B | Lightspeed Venture Partners |
| Series F | Sep 2, 2025 | $183B | $13B | Fidelity Management & Research Company, ICONIQ, and Lightspeed Venture Partners |
| Series G | Feb 12, 2026 | $380B | $30B | Coatue, D. E. Shaw Ventures, Dragoneer, Founders Fund, GIC, ICONIQ, and MGX |
| Series H | May 28, 2026 | $965B | $65B | Altimeter Capital, Capital Group, Coatue, D1 Capital Partners, Dragoneer, GIC, Greenoaks, ICONIQ, Sequoia Capital, and XN |
Updated
Fact-check
- Anthropic's third-quarter revenue was $16.8 billion.Stated by [2] CNBC, citing people familiar with the matter; the [1] New York Times headline gives the same figure.Verified
- Revenue rose 45% from the second quarter, when it was about $11.6 billion.[2] CNBC gives second-quarter revenue of about $11.6 billion; the [1] New York Times and [3] Reuters headlines cite 45% growth. $16.8B over $11.6B is a 45% rise.Verified
- First-quarter revenue was $4.7 billion.Stated by [2] CNBC, citing the people familiar with the matter.Verified
- Anthropic said it was profitable on an adjusted basis in the third quarter.Stated by [2] CNBC: the people said Anthropic told investors it was profitable on an adjusted basis in the third quarter.Verified
- Gross margin was 85 percent after certain adjustments.Stated by [1] The New York Times: the company said gross margin was 85 percent after making certain adjustments.Verified
- The quarter ended September 30, 2026.The event data gives an as-of date of September 30, 2026 for the third-quarter figure.Verified
- Reuters reported the quarter on October 14 as a 45% rise to nearly $17 billion.The [3] Reuters headline, dated October 14, 2026, states this; the article body could not be opened.Verified
Sources
- [1]The New York Times (opens in a new tab)Anthropic Says Revenue Jumped 45% to $16.8 Billion in Third Quartergross margin ... was 85 percent after making certain adjustments
- [2]CNBC (opens in a new tab)Anthropic's Q3 revenue is said to hit $16.8 billion ahead of IPOprofitable on an adjusted basis in the third quarter
- [3]Reuters (opens in a new tab)Anthropic's Q3 revenue surges 45% to nearly $17 billion
