Private AI's race to go public

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 30, 2026 at 17:29  |  2:10  |  CNBC
Speakers
Kate Rooney — Technology Reporter

Summary

Kate Rooney reports on a race among private AI and space companies to go public. OpenAI is reportedly in talks for a Q4 IPO, SpaceX could list as early as June unless it merges with Tesla, and Anthropic may also list this year. Massive private fundraising has pushed valuations higher, and bankers are debating whether public markets can absorb the potential issuance.

  • OpenAI reportedly in talks with bankers for a possible Q4 IPO.
  • SpaceX could go public this summer, as early as June, if it does not combine with Tesla.
  • Anthropic is closing part of a $20 billion round and may list this year.
  • OpenAI is reportedly raising up to $100 billion from Amazon and others.
  • Private AI dealmaking has pushed the combined value of the three companies to about $1.65 trillion.
  • Investors say the AI giants are IPO-ready and racing to be first.
  • Bankers worry whether public markets can absorb hundreds of billions in issuance.
  • IPO size could be roughly 10% of private valuation by rule of thumb.
Ideas
Kate Rooney Technology Reporter 0:22
OpenAI eyes Q4 IPO after huge raise.
OpenAI is reportedly looking to go public as early as Q4, has been in talks with bankers to list, and is on track to raise as much as $100 billion from Amazon and others. Investors say the huge private round was meant to be a final fundraise ahead of IPOs, and that OpenAI has been IPO-ready and wants to tell its story to Wall Street first.
OPENAI HIGH
Kate Rooney Technology Reporter 0:26
SpaceX may IPO by June or merge.
SpaceX is reportedly slated to go public this summer, possibly as early as June, if it does not combine with Tesla. It is part of what could be a record-setting year for public listings, and it is also reported to be considering a merger with xAI or Tesla.
SPCX MED
Kate Rooney Technology Reporter 0:26
Anthropic eyes IPO after $20B round.
Anthropic is closing part of what could be a $20 billion round and has been reported to be looking at a public listing this year. Investors in the AI giants say these companies have been IPO-ready for months and are racing to be first to market.
ANTHROPIC MED
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This CNBC video, published January 30, 2026, features Kate Rooney discussing OPENAI, SPCX, ANTHROPIC. 3 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Kate Rooney  · Tickers: OPENAI, SPCX, ANTHROPIC