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On Wednesday, July 17th, Eastern Time, Anthropic and Menlo Ventures announced the launch of a $100 million fund called the Anthology Fund. This fund is designed to support early-stage AI startups and provide resources for using Anthropic AI technology.

This move draws on the successful experience of Apple's iFund. In 2008, Apple partnered with venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins to launch the iFund with an initial investment of $100 million, aimed at supporting early developers creating applications for Apple's mobile platforms, such as the iPhone and iPad. This model helped Apple gain a deep understanding of the needs of early developers and promoted the development of the Apple ecosystem. Two years later, the iFund's size increased to $200 million.

Menlo partner Matt Murphy stated:

"The iFund was the inspiration for the launch of the Anthology Fund. The iFund was a tremendous success, not only allowing Apple to gain insights into the needs of early developers and what they should focus on more, but also enabling developers to gain direct access to some of Apple's sales ideas. There are many similarities here."

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In terms of investment and credit lines, Menlo Ventures will provide $100 million in investment funds, and Anthropic will offer founders of startups a credit line worth $25,000 to use its large language models. These resources will help startups overcome the high initial costs of AI and promote their development.

Matt Murphy pointed out that the current wave of AI is 10 to 100 times faster than any previous wave of innovation, with AI development outpacing the development of the iPhone. This means that AI startups need faster support and resources to keep up with the pace of technological development.

In addition to financial support, Anthropic also provides mentorship, quarterly gatherings, and other resources, including a direct contact channel similar to a hotline ("bat phone") to help startups quickly get started and grow in the AI field. Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei explained in a media interview:

"In the AI field, high initial costs can hinder the development of companies. Our goal is to provide the necessary support. We not only offer credit lines but also guidance on how to get started in this ecosystem."

However, Anthropic will not receive shares or financial benefits from the startups, but instead builds a feedback mechanism through collaboration with developers. In this way, Anthropic can continuously improve its products and technology based on developer feedback, creating a virtuous cycle.

Murphy emphasized that the Anthology Fund provides a unique opportunity for Anthropic, Menlo Ventures, and the entrepreneurs who will receive funding in the coming years to build a community together, engage in some of the most disruptive and innovative work, and truly achieve great accomplishments.In terms of market competition, Anthropic is in direct competition with OpenAI. OpenAI also has its own venture capital fund—OpenAI Startup Fund, whose official website claims that the fund aims to "invest $175 million to help AI companies have a profound positive impact on the world."

As the financing of AI startups grows rapidly, investors are scrambling to participate in the hottest AI deals. According to Crunchbase data, financing for AI startups doubled from the first quarter to the second quarter, reaching over $24 billion. This demonstrates the market's immense interest and confidence in AI startups.