Databricks is seen as a leading candidate for a 2026 IPO

In short: Investors and analysts are increasingly pointing to Databricks as a top candidate for a big AI-related IPO in 2026.

What's going on

Several market watchers expect Databricks to go public, meaning it would sell shares on a stock exchange so anyone can buy them (like taking a private club and opening it to the public). The company has not filed IPO paperwork yet. Its CEO has said Databricks will list “when the time is right.”

Coverage of possible 2026 listings often groups Databricks with other closely watched AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Morningstar has said these three companies could go public in 2026, and that their most recent private valuations together are close to $1.4 trillion.

Kiplinger also points to a more active IPO market as a sign that conditions could support big offerings. It reports that 93 IPOs were filed through May 13, and that 57 priced offerings raised $20.7 billion.

There is one caveat. Some reporting uses broad wording like “a highly anticipated public offering” and that could refer to OpenAI or Anthropic, depending on the story. Still, Databricks is often mentioned as one of the clearest candidates for a multibillion-dollar IPO.

What to watch

The main thing to watch is whether Databricks formally files for an IPO, which would confirm timing and provide more financial details. Another key signal is whether the IPO market stays strong enough for large, high-profile listings. If a major AI company does go public, it could turn employee stock and early investor stakes into spendable money, similar to finally being able to cash in a long-held ticket.

Source: NYTimes