Three AI and Space Giants Poised for Public Debuts in 2026

The IPO Renaissance Begins

After years of IPO market dormancy, 2025 marked a turning point with several major companies successfully going public. The momentum is expected to accelerate in 2026, with lower interest rates and improved market sentiment creating ideal conditions for long-awaited public offerings. Industry watchers are particularly focused on three heavyweight contenders that could reshape the market landscape.

Anthropic: The AI Alternative Gaining Traction

Backed by major cloud and tech companies, Anthropic has emerged as one of the fastest-growing players in the artificial intelligence space. The company developed Claude, an AI chatbot designed with a different philosophy than its competitors—emphasizing reliability and workplace applications.

Recent funding rounds have valued the company at approximately $300 billion, reflecting investor confidence in its trajectory. The company projects hitting $26 billion in annualized revenue run rate this year, which would place it among the highest-revenue AI companies at its scale. Claude has built a substantial user base, with reports indicating 30 million monthly active users in mid-2025.

The Financial Times disclosed in December that Anthropic is considering a 2026 IPO as a potential capital-raising strategy, which could unlock significant value for existing shareholders.

OpenAI: The Trillion-Dollar Question

OpenAI remains the most closely watched IPO candidate in the space. While CEO Sam Altman has expressed uncertainty about timing, multiple sources suggest a public debut could occur in 2026 or early 2027, contingent on market conditions.

The valuation question dominates discussions around OpenAI’s potential IPO. Reports suggest the company could enter public markets at a $1 trillion valuation—which would represent the highest-valued IPO in history. This astronomical figure reflects the market’s perception of ChatGPT’s dominance and OpenAI’s first-mover advantage in consumer AI.

By November, the company was on track to reach $20 billion in annualized revenue. ChatGPT attracted 800 million weekly active users by October, generating substantial revenue from its premium $20-monthly subscription tier and enterprise partnerships. However, questions linger about OpenAI’s financial obligations and path to profitability.

SpaceX: The Space Race Goes Public

Elon Musk’s SpaceX represents another transformation story with massive IPO potential. Unlike pure AI plays, SpaceX operates in aerospace, building advanced rockets and pioneering reusable launch systems that have dramatically reduced space mission costs.

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite division, provides broadband connectivity to underserved regions globally—a business with massive addressable market potential. The company generates revenue from government partnerships, commercial contracts, and Starlink subscriptions.

Recent reports value SpaceX at approximately $800 billion, positioning it as the second-highest valued private company poised for public markets. Musk has called reports about a 2026 IPO “accurate,” suggesting serious momentum behind the filing timeline. Media outlets reported the company aims to raise $30 billion in its capital round.

The Market’s Appetite for Giants

The prospect of three mega-cap companies hitting the public market simultaneously in 2026 could represent an inflection point for the IPO market. Whether all three materialize or even one reaches public markets at reported valuations, the impact on market structure and investor portfolios could be significant. Market observers will be watching closely for official filing announcements and updated financial guidance from these companies in the coming months.