The IPO window narrows: 8 startups to watch in 2026

With the 2026 IPO window closing, attention is shifting to startups poised for public listings. Crunchbase highlights eight companies, including Anthropic, which is expected to go public within six to 12 months. Anthropic, valued at over $125 billion, could raise up to $100 billion, potentially surpassing OpenAI’s IPO timeline. Other notable candidates include Oura, Notion, Kraken, SambaNova, Stegra, Stripe, and OpenEvidence. Oura, with $1.5 billion in funding, is considering an IPO by September or October, while Notion has appointed a board with public-company experience. Kraken, which paused its IPO plans in May, remains a strong contender. SambaNova, following Cerebras Systems’ $6.4 billion IPO, is also a probable candidate. Stegra, a green-steel maker, has raised $12.6 billion and is exploring an IPO to fund expansion. Stripe, despite its $10.4 billion in funding, is still considering an IPO for 2027. OpenEvidence, an AI platform for doctors, is likely to follow Anthropic and OpenAI’s listings. Crunchbase’s predictive models assess each company’s likelihood and timing for an IPO, with a focus on near-term candidates.