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

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Aisha Down and Dan MilmoJanuary 22, 2026 at 07:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Several large technology companies, potentially valued at over $100 billion and dubbed "hectocorns," are expected to pursue initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2026. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and Stripe are reportedly considering going public. The success of these IPOs will be a key indicator of the AI market's strength and whether it constitutes a bubble. While geopolitical factors and previous market disruptions caused delays, the AI boom has propelled markets to near-record highs, encouraging these companies to seek public funding. OpenAI, in particular, is viewed as a critical test for the AI economy, as its ability to recoup massive infrastructure investments will be closely watched by investors.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Neil Wilson 30% San Francisco ×230% Saxo Capital Markets 30% Microsoft 40% European Union 40% SoftBank 40% Donald Trump 40% United States 50% SpaceX 60% Stripe 60% Anthropic ×270% OpenAI ×690%

Keywords

ipo 90% hectocorn 90% ai 90% openai 80% initial public offering 80% artificial intelligence 80% technology startups 70% ai boom 70% valuation 60% market mania 60%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.20

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

United States

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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ipo hectocorn ai openai initial public offering artificial intelligence technology startups ai boom valuation market mania

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