The world of technology is bracing itself for a seismic shift as the so-called "hectocorns" – tech companies valued at over $100bn – prepare to make their highly anticipated initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2026. This year, investors are expected to be drawn to these high-growth firms like never before, fuelled by the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on businesses and individuals alike.
At the forefront of this AI revolution are giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX, whose valuations have soared to unprecedented heights. If they manage to float successfully, it could send shockwaves throughout the market and raise questions about whether we're witnessing a speculative bubble that's primed to burst.
OpenAI, in particular, is seen as a game-changer, having sparked a frenzy of public interest with its groundbreaking ChatGPT chatbot. The San Francisco-based company has attracted a who's who of big-name investors, including Microsoft and SoftBank, and its valuation has skyrocketed from $29bn to a staggering $500bn.
But what's driving this frenzy? Analysts point to the AI boom as the primary catalyst, citing the growing demand for data-intensive applications that rely on machine learning. And yet, despite the hype surrounding these companies, there are also concerns about their financial sustainability and potential for disruption in the market.
Among those considering an IPO is Databricks, a company that helps customers build autonomous tools using their own data. With revenue growth exceeding 55% last year, its valuation has already reached $134bn. Meanwhile, Canva, the Australian software design company, is seen as a potential dark horse, having reported a staggering $65bn valuation despite operating in a highly competitive market.
And then there's Anduril, a defence-tech startup with close ties to the Trump administration and a history of significant losses. Analysts are eager to see how its prospects will fare once it goes public later this year.
As we edge closer to 2026, investors are bracing themselves for what promises to be a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns. But one thing is certain – if these "hectocorns" manage to float successfully, they'll have a profound impact on the market and leave us all wondering about the true nature of this tech-driven revolution.
However, some analysts are skeptical about the AI bubble and whether it's sustainable in the long term. Neil Wilson, an analyst at Saxo Capital Markets, has described OpenAI as "the single biggest test for the entire AI economy". If demand for AI doesn't pay back the multitrillion-dollar investment in datacentres and computer chips that support it, then this whole thing could come crashing down.
While there's still a lot to be seen, one thing is clear – 2026 is shaping up to be an eventful year for tech giants looking to make their mark on the world stage.
At the forefront of this AI revolution are giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX, whose valuations have soared to unprecedented heights. If they manage to float successfully, it could send shockwaves throughout the market and raise questions about whether we're witnessing a speculative bubble that's primed to burst.
OpenAI, in particular, is seen as a game-changer, having sparked a frenzy of public interest with its groundbreaking ChatGPT chatbot. The San Francisco-based company has attracted a who's who of big-name investors, including Microsoft and SoftBank, and its valuation has skyrocketed from $29bn to a staggering $500bn.
But what's driving this frenzy? Analysts point to the AI boom as the primary catalyst, citing the growing demand for data-intensive applications that rely on machine learning. And yet, despite the hype surrounding these companies, there are also concerns about their financial sustainability and potential for disruption in the market.
Among those considering an IPO is Databricks, a company that helps customers build autonomous tools using their own data. With revenue growth exceeding 55% last year, its valuation has already reached $134bn. Meanwhile, Canva, the Australian software design company, is seen as a potential dark horse, having reported a staggering $65bn valuation despite operating in a highly competitive market.
And then there's Anduril, a defence-tech startup with close ties to the Trump administration and a history of significant losses. Analysts are eager to see how its prospects will fare once it goes public later this year.
As we edge closer to 2026, investors are bracing themselves for what promises to be a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns. But one thing is certain – if these "hectocorns" manage to float successfully, they'll have a profound impact on the market and leave us all wondering about the true nature of this tech-driven revolution.
However, some analysts are skeptical about the AI bubble and whether it's sustainable in the long term. Neil Wilson, an analyst at Saxo Capital Markets, has described OpenAI as "the single biggest test for the entire AI economy". If demand for AI doesn't pay back the multitrillion-dollar investment in datacentres and computer chips that support it, then this whole thing could come crashing down.
While there's still a lot to be seen, one thing is clear – 2026 is shaping up to be an eventful year for tech giants looking to make their mark on the world stage.
I mean, have you heard about OpenAI's ChatGPT? It's like, super popular but also kinda scary at the same time... what if it gets too smart for us 
? And with all these huge valuations, I just can't help but think that we're living in some kind of tech bubble 
. Like, what happens when the hype dies down and they have to actually make money or something 
? Databricks is making me wanna invest in autonomous tools though... how cool would it be to own a piece of the future? 
... AI revolution is real and we gotta adapt! OpenAI's ChatGPT has shown us what's possible with language models. I'm not saying it'll be easy for these "hectocorns" to float, but the demand for AI solutions is huge and growing. We're living in a world where automation & machine learning are changing industries fast.
... they've got a solid track record of innovation in defence tech. Canva's valuation might seem crazy high but their software is top-notch! The AI boom might be hype, but the actual impact on businesses & lives will be huge. Let's not underestimate the power of tech 
They're valued at $100bn+ and are basically being touted as the future of AI 
But what's really driving this hype? Is it just a bunch of techies getting caught up in the excitement, or is there something more to it? 
... don't get me wrong, AI is lit 
, but at what cost? Is everyone just throwing money around because AI is trendy right now? 
. And speaking of tech giants, I just realized I need to update my phone's operating system – it's been like 6 months since the last security patch 
... anyway, back to AI, what's your take on this whole 'tech bubble' thing? Should we be concerned about the environmental impact of all these datacentres 
?
! The AI boom is definitely getting me excited - I mean, who wouldn't want a chatbot like ChatGPT that can basically have conversations with you? 
It's crazy how these companies are valued at over $100bn now and will be going public soon. But at the same time, I'm also a bit nervous about the whole AI bubble thing... like what if it all crashes down? 
What's driving this frenzy? Is it just FOMO (fear of missing out) or is there actually something real going on here? I'm calling BS on all this hype 
.
And don't even get me started on Databricks and Canva... those valuations are just plain ridiculous 
. Fingers crossed for all those "hectocorns" out there! 
I'm intrigued by Canva, though - 65bn valuation? That's wild! 