Siblings Forge $537 Billion Empire in Just Five Years

Rowan Ashford

Published: February 16, 2026 10:27 PM ET

The world of artificial intelligence is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by ambitious startups like Anthropic. Founded just five years ago by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, Anthropic has rapidly transformed into a dominating player in the industry. Their innovative approach has led to an extraordinary valuation of $537 billion.

Siblings Forge $537 Billion Empire in Just Five Years

On February 17, 2026, Anthropic raised $30 billion in a funding round that has significantly escalated its market value. This figure marks a dramatic increase from its earlier valuations: $183 billion in August 2025 and $61.5 billion in early 2025 during previous funding efforts. The growth trajectory illustrates both the volatile nature of the AI sector and the increasing need for substantial investment.

Rapid Revenue Growth

Anthropic earned its first revenue less than three years ago and now reports an impressive run-rate revenue of $14 billion. The company’s revenue has grown by over tenfold each year for three consecutive years. This year alone, the launch of the Claude Code tool has spurred a doubling of run-rate revenue to over $2.5 billion.

Investment Strategy and Challenges

Anthropic plans to invest more than $30 billion in data centers and essential semiconductors this year. However, the company faces the challenge of securing sufficient capital to keep pace with larger tech giants. Competitors like OpenAI are simultaneously seeking to raise $100 billion, leading to an increasingly competitive landscape.

Funding Round: Raised $30 billion in February 2026
Valuation: $537 billion, up from $183 billion in August 2025
Run-Rate Revenue: $14 billion, with rapid growth driven by Claude Code
Investment in Data Centers: Over $30 billion planned for 2026

Future Prospects and Risks

Despite its current success, Anthropic and similar AI start-ups are navigating a precarious financial landscape. Dario Amodei has voiced concerns about the potential discrepancies between expected revenues and actual financial outcomes. He highlights that investing in computing infrastructure requires careful timing, or the consequences could be financially disastrous.

As AI technology continues to evolve, the pressure mounts for startups to not only sustain their growth but also meet their substantial investment commitments. With the right strategy, Anthropic aims to balance its ambitious revenue goals with the inherent risks of the industry.

The journey of siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei exemplifies the challenges and opportunities present in the AI sector. As they continue to build their remarkable empire, the world watches closely, anticipating the future of this transformative technology.