# The Hunt for the Next AI Unicorn: Why It's About to Get Harder > Source: > Published: 2026-07-16 11:08:11+00:00 # The Hunt for the Next AI Unicorn: Why It's About to Get Harder AI startup valuations are skyrocketing, but finding the next Anthropic won't be easy. Between easy entry and new investors, the VC game is changing. Remember the name [Anthropic](/glossary/anthropic). It's the AI giant now valued at $1.2 trillion. Sounds like a dream investment, right? But back in 2023, it was just a high-risk bet with no revenue and a $4.1 billion valuation ask. Menlo Ventures took the plunge, and now their investment has ballooned to $14 billion. Easy money? Hardly. ## Breaking the Rules Menlo's Matt Murphy admitted they had to toss out the rulebook to bet on Anthropic. Heartburn and sleepless nights were part of the package. But that gamble paid off. Talk about a rollercoaster. But here's the catch: Anthropic's success is rare. Unicorns aren't called that because they're easy to spot. For every Anthropic, there are thousands of startups that never leave the stable. So what's changing now? ## The Flood of Startups AI has made launching a startup as simple as pie. With vibe coding, even those who think C++ is a rapper can build a product. The barrier to entry is practically crawling on the floor. Sorting through this flood of startups is already a nightmare. Brace yourself for even more chaos. ## New Money, Old Problems IPOs and acquisitions are minting millionaires faster than you can say 'stock options.' Founders are turning into investors, ready to throw cash at the next big thing. But that doesn't guarantee they'll find it. FOMO is driving them to chase deals that might not even exist. How many will learn the hard way? Sure, VCs are built to handle losses. But public markets? They're ruthless. When these startups finally hit the big time, the average investor might just be left holding the bag. Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.