Episode summary
Anthropic in Talks to Buy Startup Decart for $6 Billion | Bloomberg Intelligence
Bloomberg Intelligence
· · 25 min · Hosts: Paul Sweeney, Lisa Mateo · Guests: Ed Ludlow, Woo Jin Ho, Anurag Rana, Sarah Pinto
Summary
Anthropic is reportedly in talks to buy Decart, an Israeli AI startup, for about $6 billion, a deal that would be its largest known acquisition. The guest said the target’s software is attractive because it helps chips run AI more efficiently, which matters as demand for compute outstrips supply and companies push to lower the cost of training and operating models. The timing also points to broader strategic questions around Anthropic’s IPO plans and how much infrastructure it still needs to absorb demand.
Cisco’s results added a different angle on AI spending. The analyst said sales were strong, with AI revenue set to roughly double in fiscal 2027, but investors focused on gross-margin pressure from heavier hardware mix and memory inflation. Even so, the view was that Cisco sits in a “Goldilocks” position in AI: exposed enough to benefit from infrastructure demand, but not so dependent that it gets overextended.
The show also covered Apple’s potential $2,000 foldable iPhone, which the analyst said could boost average selling prices and widen the premium market, and Robinhood Ventures Fund II’s IPO, aimed at giving retail investors access to private-company venture exposure.
Key takeaways
- Anthropic’s reported $6 billion Decart deal would be its biggest acquisition and is aimed at improving compute efficiency, not just adding model talent.
- The guest argued that AI infrastructure demand remains constrained by compute supply, making optimization software unusually valuable.
- Cisco’s AI sales are projected to reach $7.5 billion this fiscal year, but margin pressure from hardware and memory costs worried investors.
- The analyst called Cisco a “Goldilocks” AI play: meaningful growth, but not excessive dependence on AI spending.
- Apple’s first foldable iPhone could lift revenue by shifting high-end buyers to a roughly $2,000 device, according to the analyst.
- Robinhood Ventures Fund II is designed to give retail investors diversified access to private venture investing, especially Y Combinator companies.
Notable quotes
“it seems like based on our reporting, that's the bit Anthropic is interested in. So it's a $6 billion deal”
“the operational technical challenges that Anthropic still has”
“the economics of leasing out compute capacity running your own models on your own compute capacity is so important”
“sales are white hot, right? Uh, AI, uh, close to doubling in fiscal 2027 based on their guidance”
“I view Cisco as one of the Goldilocks of AI. It's like you don't have too much AI and you don't have too little AI”
How the episode opens
Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio, news. You're listening to the Bloomberg Intelligence Podcast. Catch us live weekdays at 10 a.m. Eastern on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Bloomberg Business App. — Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts or watch us live on YouTube.
Let's check in with Ed Lello. Uh he is host of Bloomberg Tech. He's based out there in San Francisco. Ed, we got Anthropic. Now, when we talk about Anthropic, a lot of folks are saying, "I want to wait and see this IPO perspectus because this could be very interesting." But they're not waiting. They're out there doing some business. Anthropics, they're going to be buying an AI startup here. Talk to us about that.
Yeah, this is a startup called Decart, an Israeli startup that does two things. They work on world models. World models literally AI models that try to understand the world.
Uh more rooted in in real world physics. They're trained on things like video data. It's beyond text.
But the second thing that they do is have a software platform that makes chips better at running AI. You know, optimizing basically. And it seems like based on our reporting, that's the bit Anthropic is interested in.
So it's a $6 billion deal. We're reporting citing sources. We don't know the structure of the deal, but in in the context of what you just said, it would be Inthropic's biggest acquis acquisition to date and and and with an IPO right around the corner, you know, it's interesting timing, but it kind of speaks to the the operational technical challenges that Anthropic still has.
Is this out of the ordinary though uh for Anthropic though because they rarely make these big acquisitions? This is a big one.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- anthropic acquisition talks
- ai chip efficiency
- cisco ai data center outlook
- apple foldable iphone
- robinhood ventures fund ipo
Companies and tickers mentioned
- CSCO
- AAPL
- HOOD
- Anthropic
- Decart
- Cisco Systems
- Apple
- Robinhood Ventures
Watch the episode
Watch “Anthropic in Talks to Buy Startup Decart for $6 Billion | Bloomberg Intelligence” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
More from Bloomberg Intelligence
-
Instant Reaction: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Ousted by Nvidia Board | Bloomberg Intelligence -
Nvidia’s Huang Ousted by Board in Move That Roils AI Economy | Bloomberg Intelligence -
CoreWeave Shares Soar After AI Computing Firm Eases Debt Fears | Bloomberg Intelligence -
Anthropic Targets $1.4 Trillion Valuation in Blockbuster IPO | Bloomberg Intelligence -
Nvidia Probe Into CEO Affair Raises Thorny Questions for AI | Bloomberg Intelligence -
Election 'Blue Wave' & Your Wallet; Navigating AI-Driven Market Volatility | Bloomberg Intelligence
Bloomberg Intelligence, this episode and its artwork belong to Bloomberg. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
