ICONIQ vs M13

Anthropic backers' stakes worth billions before IPO

As Anthropic prepares for a potential IPO at a valuation of up to $2 trillion, various early and late-stage investors are sitting on substantial paper gains based on the company's latest private valuation of $965 billion. The report, according to Bloomberg, highlights stakes held by notable backers. Eric Schmidt, who invested in Anthropic's Series A in 2021, now owns about 1% worth nearly $10 billion. Iconiq invested $6 billion last year, a stake now valued at $17 billion. Menlo Ventures has invested over $1 billion, now worth $14 billion. Sequoia made a $3 billion investment earlier this year, already doubled. Sound Ventures, founded by Ashton Kutcher, invested a total of $435 million, resulting in a stake worth billions. Spark Capital, holding a board seat, invested $75 million in a Series C round, now worth $7 billion.

• Anthropic is expected to go public this year at a valuation of up to $2 trillion.
• Anthropic's latest private valuation is $965 billion.
• Eric Schmidt's stake is worth nearly $10 billion.

Anthropic Cap Table: VCs Late to IPO Party, None Own Over 2%

A detailed report on Anthropic's cap table reveals that despite the company's upcoming IPO, venture capital firms were late investors. Iconiq, Menlo, and Lightspeed are set to be the biggest venture winners, yet none hold more than 2% of the company. Anthropic deliberately structured its funding to keep individual investor stakes below this level, ensuring no single VC had outsized control. The article paints a messy picture of Anthropic's rise from a small OpenAI defector group to a juggernaut, with many VCs initially passing due to its unusual structure and safety focus. This strategic approach to its cap table highlights the company's unique governance and investor diversification.

• Anthropic is set for a potential IPO next month, likely the largest of all time.
• No venture capital firm owns more than 2% of Anthropic.
• Iconiq, Menlo, and Lightspeed are the biggest venture winners in the upcoming IPO.

Enveda raises $311M for AI drug discovery

Enveda, an AI-driven biotech startup focused on discovering drugs from natural sources, has raised $311 million in a Series E funding round at a $2 billion valuation. The round was led by Catalio Capital Management, with participation from Iconiq and others, doubling the company's valuation from 12 months ago. Enveda, founded in 2019 by Viswa Colluru, uses AI to accelerate the discovery of drugs from plants and microbes. The startup is currently advancing several drug candidates into clinical trials, including treatments for severe skin conditions and a drug designed to maintain weight loss after discontinuation of GLP-1s. This funding will support further clinical development.

• Enveda raised $311 million in Series E funding at a $2 billion valuation.
• Catalio Capital Management led the round, with participation from Iconiq and others.
• The new valuation doubles Enveda's valuation from 12 months ago.

What Is Agentic Identity? Meet Baselayer, the Identity Infrastructure for AI Agents

M13 announces fundraising for Baselayer, an identity infrastructure for AI agents, with a dedicated article published on September 22, 2026.

Investors Are Betting on AI Agents That Shop for You

Venture capitalists are increasingly funding startups building AI agents that can shop on behalf of consumers and handle payments. The article maps the emerging market for "agentic commerce," covering personal assistants like Instinct and Town, shopping search tools like Daydream, payment infrastructure startups like Catena Labs and Basis Theory, and marketing tech such as Profound. Major platforms are also moving: OpenAI and Stripe launched the Agentic Commerce Protocol, Google operates the Agent Payments Protocol, and Visa and Mastercard introduced Trusted Agent Protocol and Agent Pay. However, the space faces trust and fraud challenges, illustrated by Phia's cookie-stuffing scandal and an Instinct agent error that cost a user around $300. Investor interest remains strong, with millions raised across the sector, even as enterprise adoption lags due to compliance and security concerns.

• Adobe Analytics reported that 41% of respondents used AI for online shopping in June 2026.
• OpenAI and Stripe launched the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), while Google operates the Agent Payments Protocol.
• Profound raised $96 million in Series C funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.