Anthropic and the Indian startup Sarvam AI are developing artificial intelligence on different continents. However, the two leading labs are linked by more than just global rivalry. Deep financial parallels have emerged between them that go far beyond mere technology.

The main reason for the similarity lies in the structure of their shareholders. Large international funds that actively back the creators of the Claude neural network have invested significant sums in India's most successful AI project.

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Lightspeed unites both companies

Lightspeed Venture Partners led Anthropic's $3.5 billion Series E round in March 2025. The developer of Claude was then valued at $61.5 billion.

Official documents from Indian regulators confirm a similar investment strategy in the Asian market. The well-known Lightspeed fund, through its subsidiaries, acquired equity stakes, preferred shares, and convertible bonds of the enterprise Axonwise Private Limited.

This firm is the legal entity that supports the operation of Sarvam AI. The startup recently raised $234 million in funding at an overall market valuation of $1.5 billion. The well-known engineers Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar founded this promising project in 2023. Thus, one and the same major investor is simultaneously developing the American lab Anthropic and its strong Indian competitor.

The strategy of General Catalyst and Khosla Ventures in the AI market

General Catalyst's entry into the Indian market came about through a large acquisition. The investment firm merged with Venture Highway in 2024. The organization specialized in early support for promising startups within India.

Venture Highway Fund III holds Sarvam's Series A convertible bonds. General Catalyst also invests in Anthropic and the French startup Mistral AI. The investor is present in three key artificial-intelligence labs at once.

Source: BeInCrypto