Anthropic, the AI startup backed by tech giants like Amazon and Google, is initiating its first employee share buyback program—highlighting the growing competition for talent in the booming AI industry. The program will allow both current and former employees to sell a portion of their equity, providing liquidity while also helping the company strengthen retention amid an increasingly competitive hiring environment.
Founded in 2021 by ex-OpenAI executives, Anthropic has seen a dramatic surge in valuation, climbing from $15 billion in early 2024 to over $60 billion by year’s end. This growth has been driven by major funding rounds and strong support from strategic investors.
As high-growth AI companies battle to attract top-tier researchers and engineers, employee liquidity events like this are becoming more common. Anthropic’s flagship chatbot, Claude, has quickly become a leading alternative to other large language models, especially among enterprise users seeking safe and transparent AI tools.
With its revenue growing rapidly and aggressive hiring targets on the horizon, the company is leveraging more than just competitive salaries—offering equity opportunities backed by tangible liquidity. This move reflects a broader trend in the AI sector, where surging investment is enabling startups to offer compelling packages that align employee rewards with company success.
