Menlo Ventures, one of Anthropic’s largest backers, and the AI startup are collaborating to establish a $100 million fund dedicated to funding AI-based entrepreneurs.
The Anthology Fund will primarily support business owners in five important domains. The most important thing is AI infrastructure, including middleware and DevX tools, which let Claude, Anthropic’s AI helper, and other LLMs become more widely used and capable.
According to the founders, frontier applications are anticipated in supply chains, cloud computing, legal, healthcare, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.
Additionally, they will provide funding for consumer AI products that include LLMs as key components, trust and safety tooling that improves AI safety at or above the model layer, and AI apps and technology intended to benefit society as a whole, such innovative approaches to training and education.
Co-founder and president of Anthropic Daniela Amodei stated, “We hope to accelerate the development of groundbreaking AI applications through our partnership with Menlo Ventures and the Anthology Fund.”
Businesses that use AI to improve human capabilities and productivity in industries including healthcare, legal services, education, energy, infrastructure, and scientific research are of special interest to us.
“We look forward to working closely with Menlo and the exceptional founders backed by this fund to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI.”
Anthropic’s new fund will assist entrepreneurs starting at the seed stage.
The fund will make investments starting at $100,000 in businesses that are in the seed to expansion phases. Menlo Ventures stated that the most promising Anthology firms will receive follow-on investments in the future, and it anticipates that its funding will constitute a seven-to ten-year commitment.
In addition to financial help from Menlo Ventures, startups will have access to Anthropic products and research as well as $25,000 in free credits toward the company’s most advanced models.
Although Claude is not required, it is unquestionably preferred by businesses.
“We assume the best developers will want to use the best model for their applications,” Menlo Ventures said in a statement. And while the VC firm said it prefers to invest in companies based in the US, it will back ‘exceptional’ companies internationally.
“By combining Menlo’s company-building experience with Anthropic’s cutting-edge AI technology and talent, we are uniquely positioned to identify and partner with the most promising entrepreneurs shaping the future of AI,” said Matt Murphy, partner at Menlo Ventures.
“We’re not just looking for startups; we’re seeking AI pioneers who harness Anthropic’s cutting-edge technology to redefine what is possible today through AI. Our goal is not just driving value but fundamentally helping teams to reshape industries and improve lives.”