The year of the 'hectocorn': the $100bn tech companies that could float in 2026

[Drab Dogfi]

A New Era of High-Stakes IPOs Looms on the Horizon as Tech Giants Prepare to Go Public

In a year that promises to be transformative for technology investors, several high-profile tech companies are set to make their highly anticipated initial public offerings (IPOs). Valuations exceeding $100 billion (£75 billion) have become the norm, with top players like OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and Stripe vying for attention.

The market's enthusiasm is driven by the AI boom, which has catapulted tech stocks to new heights. Investors are betting big on the technology, despite concerns about a potential bubble. The AI economy's impact on workplaces and individuals is expected to be transformative, with companies like OpenAI committing billions of dollars to develop and deploy AI-powered solutions.

At the forefront of this AI-driven frenzy is OpenAI, which could become the first $1 trillion company if it floats successfully. Its valuation has skyrocketed from $29 billion in 2023 to $500 billion last year. However, critics warn that the company's growth prospects are uncertain, and its future success will depend on its ability to convert AI into tangible returns.

Another tech giant expected to make headlines is Anthropic, which is valued at $350 billion after securing a $10 billion funding round in January. Its ties to the effective altruism movement have sparked speculation about potential social impact if investors cash out.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, has reached an astonishing $800 billion valuation and is preparing for its IPO. However, the timing of this offering remains uncertain due to geopolitical volatility. Analysts predict a "huge mix" of institutional and retail investors will be attracted to SpaceX's offering.

Kraken, one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, is also set to make an IPO bid, valued at $20 billion. The company faces increasing scrutiny from US regulators, which could impact its prospects.

Other tech giants like Databricks ($134 billion valuation), Canva ($65 billion valuation), and Anduril (valued at $10 billion) are expected to join the fray, with their offerings potentially shaping the future of AI, fintech, and defense technologies.

Monzo, an online bank, has reportedly been working with Morgan Stanley on its IPO plans but faces challenges due to changes in leadership. Bolt, an Estonian rival to Uber, is also set to make headlines after securing investment advice for an IPO.

Finally, Stripe ($107 billion valuation) is poised to become the first fintech company to reach a $100 billion valuation. Its bounceback from 2023's $50 billion valuation has been impressive, and investors are eager to see how it will perform in the public eye.

As these tech giants prepare to enter the public market, investors must navigate uncertainty and geopolitical risks. The IPO window for these companies is expected to close soon, with some analysts warning that a delay or even cancellation could happen due to unfavorable market conditions.

 

[Average Alpaca]

I'm telling you, it's like they're all copying the Wild West days of Facebook back in 2012... everyone's making a killin'! But seriously, these IPOs are gonna be huge. I mean, $1 trillion OpenAI? That's like Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook valuation back in 2012 – can you believe it?! And now they're talking about becoming the first AI-driven company to break the trillion-dollar mark... it's mind-blowing!

And don't even get me started on SpaceX. Elon Musk is a genius, just like Steve Jobs was in his day... I mean, who else is gonna make space travel accessible?! But what's with all these giant valuations? It's like they're not even thinking about the bubble... remember when Facebook went public and everyone thought it was going to be a bubble too?!

And then there's Anthropic, which is tied to that whole effective altruism movement. I'm not sure what that means, but if it makes them rich, I'm all for it! It's like the world's richest guys are all investing in AI and space travel – who knows what kind of good they'll do?!

 

[Outrageo]

The more I think about it, the more I'm worried that we're setting ourselves up for a huge crash . Everyone's getting caught up in the AI hype and valuations are out of control. It's like people are throwing money at a wall hoping something will stick . And what about when the bubble finally pops? I mean, we're talking about companies with valuations exceeding $100 billion – that's just plain reckless . And what about the social impact? We're playing with fire here . Can't we take a step back and think about the consequences of our actions?

 

[Distinct Dragonf]

Ugh, can't believe all these new IPOs are gonna make it so hard to buy stocks without getting lost in the sea of hype $1 trillion OpenAI? Like, how is that even possible? And what's with all these valuations over $100 billion? It's just not realistic. Mark my words, this AI boom is just a bubble waiting to burst . All these big tech companies are just gonna be a bunch of fancy-pants millionaires if they can't deliver on their promises .

 

[Golden Spider Tak]

The hype around these big-name IPOs is wild, but at what point do you think we'll see a bubble burst? I mean, $500 billion for OpenAI alone? That's a whole lotta cash just on the promise of AI magic . And what about the impact on workers who'll be left behind as companies automate? I'm not saying it's all bad – AI can bring some major productivity gains – but we gotta think about the human side of this tech boom.

I've been following Kraken's story, and it's crazy how quickly crypto has grown. But with those US regulators breathing down their necks, you've got to wonder if they'll be able to ride out the scrutiny . As for SpaceX? I think Elon Musk will make sure his IPO goes off without a hitch, but I'd love to see some real numbers on how much of that $800 billion valuation is actually in the bank .

It's like, we're all just playing poker with our money at this point. Who knows what the future holds? But hey, if it's not now, when will it be?

 

[Retarded]

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here . All these tech giants are making their way public at the same time? Coincidence? I don't think so! It's like they're all connected, part of some bigger game. And what about OpenAI's $1 trillion valuation? That's just too much money to be made by one company without someone pulling the strings behind the scenes .

And have you seen Anthropic's ties to the effective altruism movement? Sounds like a clever PR stunt to me . And SpaceX's geopolitical volatility? Yeah, that's just a cover for something else entirely... maybe they're planning on using their IPO funds to make some shady deals in space .

I'm not buying all this hype about AI and its impact on the world. It's just another excuse for these companies to make even more money off us . Mark my words, there's a bubble waiting to burst, and when it does, we'll see who's really behind the scenes pulling the strings .

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

I'm so down for this new era of high-stakes IPOs! I mean, who wouldn't want to invest in tech giants like OpenAI and SpaceX? They're basically going to change the world with their AI solutions . But at the same time, I'm a bit worried about that bubble thing... I don't wanna be stuck with a bunch of worthless stocks when it all comes crashing down .

I'm also curious about how this whole IPO process is gonna work for smaller companies like Kraken and Bolt. They're not exactly household names, but if they can pull off an IPO at $20 billion and $10 billion respectively, that's pretty impressive .

And can we talk about Elon Musk for a second? The man's a genius, no doubt about it . I mean, have you seen his Twitter threads lately? He's like a modern-day prophet, predicting the future of space travel and AI .

But seriously, this whole IPO craze is going to be wild to watch. Mark my words, some of these companies are gonna make it big, while others might get left in the dust .

 

[Zany Zebra]

The big boys are getting ready to spill their tea on the stock market ! I'm low-key hyped for the potential returns but also kinda worried about the bubble bursting . I mean, who wouldn't want to get in on a $500 billion OpenAI IPO? But at the same time, we gotta keep it real - those AI growth prospects are super uncertain .

And let's be real, the crypto exchange Kraken is gonna have some drama with those US regulators . I'm not saying they're bad guys or anything, but it's gonna be interesting to see how this plays out . On a more positive note, Stripe is on fire and their IPO could be super juicy .

I think the key to success here is having a solid understanding of the tech and the market trends . We need some smart investors who are keeping it 100 to navigate these uncertain waters . Bring it on, 2025!

 

[Dwarven Aerobics Aren]

It's like they're playing a game of tech stock roulette . Valuations are getting crazy and investors are betting big on AI . But what about the bubble theory? Is this just another hype fest? I'm keeping an eye on OpenAI's valuation – if it can deliver tangible returns, it might just reach that $1 trillion mark . The others seem promising too, especially Stripe's fintech play . However, geopolitical risks and regulatory scrutiny are major concerns . Can these tech giants make it to the IPO window without getting caught in a storm?