Anthropic Plans Super-Voting Shares to Secure Founder Control Ahead of IPO

Anthropic is proposing a new corporate governance structure ahead of its potential IPO that would grant its seven co-founders 50.1% of voting power despite holding only about 14% of the company's equity. Modeled after Palantir's founder-led structure, the plan involves issuing special shares that carry no additional economic value but ensure the founders retain majority control over most corporate matters. The arrangement remains effective as long as at least three of the seven co-founders maintain a minimum shareholding threshold. While the founders will control most decisions, the company's Long-Term Benefit Trust will continue to appoint a majority of the board of directors. Anthropic has reportedly filed a draft S-1 registration statement, with market expectations for a valuation potentially reaching $2 trillion.