[Anthropic Grants Founders Enhanced Voting Rights Ahead of IPO: Dario Currently Holds Only About 2% Stake] Beating AI News Flash: Anthropic is preparing to issue high-voting-power shares to CEO Dario Amodei and other co-founders, enabling them to retain stronger control post-IPO. The plan has not been finalized yet, and Anthropic could go public as early as the end of September. This move is primarily due to the founders' already low equity stakes—Dario currently holds only about 2% of the shares. High-voting-power shares allow founders to wield greater decision-making authority with fewer shares, reducing external shareholder pressure after going public. Anthropic also has another unique mechanism: the Long-Term Benefit Trust. This independent entity holds no economic interest but owns special Class T shares, which grant it the ability to appoint the majority of the board members. Anthropic confirmed in April this year that the trust-appointed directors constitute the majority of the board. As a result, Anthropic may retain dual control structures post-IPO: founders maintaining influence through high-voting-power shares, and the Long-Term Benefit Trust continuing to control the majority of board seats. [Original Link]