Anthropic, an artificial intelligence startup, has announced the launch of the Anthology Fund in partnership with Menlo Ventures. This $100 million initiative aims to support early-stage startups that are innovating with Anthropic technology, mirroring the approach taken by Apple with its iFund in 2008.
Menlo Ventures will provide the financial backing, while Anthropic will offer $25,000 in credits to the selected startups for the use of its advanced AI models. The fund is designed to foster the development of groundbreaking AI applications across various industries, including healthcare, education, scientific research, and more.
“Through our partnership with Menlo Ventures and the Anthology Fund, we hope to accelerate the development of groundbreaking AI applications. We’re particularly interested in ventures that leverage AI to enhance human capabilities and productivity in fields such as healthcare, legal services, education, energy, infrastructure, and scientific research,” said Daniela Amodei, co-founder and President of Anthropic. “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.”
The Anthology Fund will focus on five key areas: AI infrastructure; novel applications of AI in various industries; consumer AI solutions; trust and safety tooling; and AI technologies that maximize societal benefits. In addition to the financial and technical support, startups will gain access to coaching, quarterly meetups, and other resources provided by Anthropic and Menlo Ventures.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Anthropic to launch the Anthology Fund,” said Matt Murphy, Partner at Menlo Ventures. “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.”
Unlike traditional venture funds, Anthropic will not take an equity stake in the startups it supports. Instead, the company aims to establish a feedback loop to improve its products through close collaboration with developers. This initiative aligns with Anthropic’s goal of contributing to the AI ecosystem by lowering the barriers to entry for new companies and fostering innovation.
The launch of the Anthology Fund comes at a time when investment in AI startups is rapidly increasing. According to data from Crunchbase, funding for AI startups more than doubled in the second quarter, surpassing $24 billion. The fast-paced evolution of AI technology and the growing interest from venture capitalists highlight the potential impact of this new fund.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the collaboration between Anthropic and Menlo Ventures is set to play a significant role in shaping the future of AI applications. By supporting innovative startups, the Anthology Fund aims to drive responsible AI development and unlock new possibilities for enhancing human capabilities and productivity.