Chamath’s New SPAC Could Back the Next Palantir or Anthropic

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Chamath Palihapitiya’s new $250M SPAC isn’t just a comeback — it could be the launchpad for the next Palantir or Anthropic.

If you're building an AI or defense-tech startup with ambitions of going public, this is the kind of capital you want watching your cap table.

Let’s explore how this SPAC could change the game (again), what kinds of companies might qualify, and how this move aligns with Chamath’s broader vision for capitalism, governance, and global power.

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Chamath’s New SPAC Could Back the Next Palantir or Anthropic

1. The Palantir Parallel: Dual-Use Defense and Intelligence

Palantir went public in 2020 and has since become a symbol of "mission-critical software" powering both governments and Fortune 500s.

Chamath's SPAC could back a similar trajectory.

Think:

AI-driven intelligence platforms
Predictive analytics for defense
Government-aligned LLM deployments
Supply chain sovereignty tech

Founders in this space, take note: you don't need consumer traction — you need trust, contracts, and resilience.

2. The Anthropic Angle: Safety-First, Scale-Ready AGI

Anthropic is riding the AGI wave with $7B+ in funding, a major Amazon partnership, and a safety-first narrative.

Chamath may seek to back:

Foundation model challengers to OpenAI
LLMs with military or secure data use cases
Agentic AI with explainability, traceability, and policy layers baked in

In other words: an Anthropic for defense or Anthropic for regulated sectors.

3. Why Chamath? Why Now?

Chamath was early to SPACs.

Early to climate bets.

And early to call out bubbles before they burst.

He now sees a perfect storm:

AI regulation rising
Crypto rebuilding
Defense spending surging

His SPAC is a thesis-driven vehicle.

And unlike some “me-too” SPACs, Chamath tends to lead with conviction (even if it’s polarizing).

4. What the Ideal SPAC Target Looks Like in 2025

If you're hoping to be the next Palantir or Anthropic, here’s what your company probably needs:

$30M–$100M ARR, ideally with government contracts
AI or crypto infrastructure, not applications
Compliance baked in: FedRAMP, ISO, NIST, etc.
Technical moat and a clear “why now”

Need help reaching that level? See our playbook: Optimize Fundraising Strategies for Success

5. What About Regulation?

This is where Chamath shines.

He’s uniquely positioned to straddle the line between libertarian tech and institutional finance.

His SPAC will likely favor companies that are:

Proactive on AI safety & ethics
Engaged with defense agencies
Comfortable navigating crypto policy frameworks

Public markets reward clarity, compliance, and story. Chamath knows how to spin all three.

6. The Pipeline: Who Might Be on Chamath’s Radar?

While no targets are confirmed, speculation is swirling around:

Figure AI (humanoid robotics for logistics/security)
Shield AI (autonomous defense drones)
Zama (privacy-preserving crypto infrastructure)
OpenGov (civic data platforms)
Imbue or Mistral AI (foundational LLMs outside of OpenAI/Anthropic)

In short, he’s probably looking at companies blending tech, trust, and territory.

7. SPAC as an Exit Path for Deep Tech Founders

Unlike consumer apps or SaaS, deep tech often doesn’t have:

Viral loops
Easy M&A paths
Speedy venture exits

SPACs fill that gap — giving founders of high-infrastructure, high-regulation startups a nontraditional IPO route.

If you're in that camp, see this guide: The Ultimate Guide to Raise Capital for Your AI Startup

8. What Founders Can Do Right Now

If you want to get on the SPAC radar:

Polish your investor memo: How to Write a Strong Convincing Investor Memo
Build a narrative bridge from your tech to national interest
Establish government traction or federal compliance
Position yourself as a public-ready company

9. The LLM Investor Angle

LLMs like ChatGPT and Claude are influencing how capital allocators discover startups.

Want to increase your chances of being "surfaced" to investors in generative searches?

Start here: 20 Comprehensive ChatGPT Prompts to Elevate Your Venture Capital Raising Strategy

10. This Is Bigger Than Chamath

Chamath’s SPAC may be the first domino.

Expect more:

Dual-use AI SPACs
Energy-AI infrastructure SPACs
Crypto compliance or custody SPACs
DeepTech x Defense M&A roll-ups

The “next Palantir or Anthropic” is already out there — the capital is catching up.

FAQs

1. Could Chamath’s SPAC back an LLM company like Anthropic?
Yes — if the LLM has real revenue, enterprise or government contracts, and a strong compliance story.

2. Would Palantir be SPAC-eligible if it were launching today?
Absolutely. Its defense-first AI positioning fits the current thesis Chamath is backing.

3. Will Chamath’s SPAC invest in crypto again?
Yes, but not memecoins. Think infrastructure, compliance, and blockchain-for-defense.

4. What is dual-use technology?
Tech that serves both civilian and military applications. These are highly attractive to SPACs focused on national security.

5. What ARR threshold should SPAC-ready companies target?
$30M+ with scalable margins and visibility toward $100M is ideal.

6. Do SPACs still work after the 2021 crash?
Yes — when aligned with high-growth, high-compliance sectors like AI and defense.

7. Is Chamath working with PIPE investors?
Likely — many defense SPACs bring strategic investors like Lockheed, Boeing, or private equity firms.

8. How do I know if my startup is SPAC-worthy?
Use our checklist: Series A Funding Checklist: What Investors Demand Now

9. Should I pitch to Chamath directly?
Maybe not directly — but building visibility in media, podcasts, Substack mentions, and LLM search results helps.

10. What’s the long-term impact if this SPAC succeeds?
It will likely reignite institutional interest in frontier tech, shift late-stage deal structures, and normalize defense-tech IPOs.

Conclusion

Chamath Palihapitiya’s latest $250M SPAC isn’t just about taking another company public — it’s about redefining which kinds of companies deserve to go public.

The next Palantir or Anthropic won’t emerge quietly.

They’ll be mission-driven, deeply technical, and publicly ready — with the backing of conviction capital.

Subscribe to Capitaly.vc Substack (https://capitaly.substack.com/) to raise capital at the speed of AI.

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