Anthropic publishes first batch of AI startups its Anthology Fund is backing

The Anthology Fund, a $100 million investment initiative partnered with Anthropic, has selected its first cohort of AI startups, marking a significant milestone in AI venture capital and innovation.

Initial impact and reach: The fund’s launch in July 2024 garnered substantial attention from major technology media outlets, reaching over one million people.

• The fund received thousands of applications before selecting 18 companies across diverse sectors
• Selected startups receive $25,000 in Anthropic credits and access to technical support
• The partnership includes mentorship from both Anthropic’s technical team and Menlo’s investment experts

Key sectors and innovations: The inaugural cohort represents a diverse range of AI applications across critical industries.

• Research companies include Mercor (job performance prediction), All Hands (autonomous software engineering), and Goodfire (AI interpretability tools)
• Healthcare sector features multiple startups including Brellium (automated chart review) and New Lantern (AI-powered medical image analysis)
• Back office solutions are represented by Accordance (AI for tax and audit) and Crosswise (compliance management)
• Consumer-focused companies include Alma (AI nutrition app) and several stealth startups in personal styling and AI cloning

Community building initiatives: The fund emphasizes creating a collaborative ecosystem beyond financial investment.

• A recent Builder Day event at Anthropic’s headquarters brought together 250 founders and developers
• The event featured discussions between Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Menlo’s Matt Murphy
• Technical sessions included deep dives from Anthropic’s head of developer relations and interpretability experts

Strategic partnership benefits: The Anthology Fund provides comprehensive support to portfolio companies.

• Startups gain direct access to Anthropic’s advanced AI technology and expertise
• The program facilitates connections between founders, investors, and technical experts
• Portfolio companies receive ongoing guidance from both Menlo Ventures and Anthropic teams

Future trajectory and implications: The fund’s initial cohort represents just the beginning of a broader vision for AI innovation and community development.

• The focus extends beyond traditional investment to building a pioneer community in AI technology
• Future events and collaborations are planned to showcase progress and share insights
• The partnership aims to reshape industries by combining engineering excellence with practical business applications

Looking ahead: As artificial intelligence continues to mature, the Anthology Fund’s approach of combining technical expertise, capital, and community building could serve as a model for future AI investment initiatives, though success will ultimately depend on the portfolio companies’ ability to deliver practical solutions that address real-world challenges.