Anthropic Said in Talks to Buy Startup Decart for $6 Billion

Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind the Claude models, is in talks to acquire Israeli startup Decart AI for about $6 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. If completed, the deal would mark Anthropic’s largest known acquisition and come as the company ramps up efforts to expand computing capacity ahead of a highly anticipated initial public offering.The discussions remain preliminary and could still fall apart, sources have cautioned. Neither Anthropic nor Decart has publicly confirmed the talks.What Decart Brings to the TableDecart, founded in 2023 by Israeli engineers Dean Leitersdorf, Orian Leitersdorf, and Moshe Shalev, specializes in AI infrastructure and optimization technology. Its software helps chips operate more efficiently during the training and inference of large AI models, potentially lowering costs and increasing utilization of existing hardware.The company also develops “world models” — systems designed to simulate physical environments — and generative video tools. Notable projects include Lucy, which can edit live video in real time, and Oasis, a model that generates simulated environments useful for training robotics and autonomous systems.These capabilities are seen as particularly valuable for Anthropic, which has been investing heavily in computing power to meet rising demand for its Claude models while managing the high costs of data-center infrastructure.Strategic Fit for AnthropicAnthropic has generally been selective about large acquisitions. The reported interest in Decart appears driven by the need to improve efficiency across its existing compute resources rather than simply adding more capacity. Technology that squeezes more performance from current chips could help the company absorb greater demand without proportional increases in hardware spending.If the deal closes, Decart’s team is expected to join Anthropic’s inference and performance organization, according to sources. This would integrate the startup’s optimization expertise directly into the systems that power Claude.The potential acquisition comes as Anthropic prepares for a major IPO. The company has been expanding its engineering efforts, including hiring specialists to co-design custom chips and optimize models for faster, more efficient performance.Decart’s Rapid RiseDecart has grown quickly. In May 2026, it raised $300 million in a funding round led by Radical Ventures, with participation from Nvidia, Sequoia Capital, Benchmark, Adobe Ventures, and others. That round valued the company at nearly $4 billion, up from about $3.1 billion the previous year.A $6 billion acquisition price would represent a significant premium over its most recent valuation and reflect strong demand for technologies that address the industry-wide challenge of AI compute costs and efficiency.Earlier reports indicated that Nvidia had been in advanced talks to acquire Decart before another major player entered the picture. Other names that have been linked to interest in the startup include Amazon, Nebius, and SpaceX, underscoring the competitive landscape for specialized AI infrastructure talent and technology.Broader Industry ContextThe reported talks highlight the intense competition among leading AI labs to secure both talent and technologies that can improve model performance and reduce infrastructure expenses. As companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and others pour tens of billions of dollars into data centers and chips, tools that increase efficiency have become highly strategic.For Anthropic specifically, the move would signal a more acquisitive approach as it scales toward a public listing. Improving inference and training efficiency could strengthen its competitive position on both cost and capability fronts.Uncertainties RemainBecause the discussions are still at an early stage, there is no guarantee a deal will be finalized. Regulatory reviews, valuation negotiations, and integration planning could all influence the outcome. Both companies have declined to comment on the reports.If successful, the acquisition would give Anthropic a meaningful boost in infrastructure optimization expertise at a critical moment in its growth trajectory. For Decart’s founders and investors, it would represent a substantial exit for a company founded just three years earlier.Looking AheadThe AI industry continues to see rapid consolidation and strategic deal-making as companies race to build more capable and efficient systems. Whether Anthropic ultimately completes the purchase of Decart will be closely watched as a signal of how aggressively the Claude maker is willing to use acquisitions to address its compute and performance needs.