Zoom Video Communications stock surged after analysts revealed its strategic AI investment could yield a monumental return. A $51 million stake in AI startup Anthropic, made in 2023, is now projected to be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion. This windfall highlights the massive, often hidden, value created by strategic corporate venture capital in the competitive artificial intelligence sector.
Zoom Video Communications witnessed a significant surge in its market valuation following a bullish analyst report that uncovered a potentially colossal return on a strategic artificial intelligence investment. Shares of the communications technology leader jumped over 11% in a single trading session after analysts from Baird detailed the soaring value of Zoom’s early stake in AI startup Anthropic.
The investment originated in May 2023 when Zoom announced a strategic partnership with Anthropic, concurrently revealing an undisclosed financial commitment through its Zoom Ventures arm. While exact figures were not public, a subsequent SEC filing showed Zoom allocated $51 million for “strategic investments” during that quarter. Baird’s analysis concludes that the entirety, or vast majority, of that sum was directed to Anthropic. Given Anthropic’s current valuation, estimated to be in the hundreds of billions, Zoom’s initial investment could now be worth a staggering $2 billion to $4 billion—representing a potential return of approximately 78 times its initial outlay.
In a client note, as repoted on CNBC Baird analysts emphasized that while market attention has been fixed on Zoom’s core business growth and AI product integration, this venture investment represents a “quieter, hidden gem.” The staggering valuation leap of Anthropic, driven by the explosive demand for generative AI and large language models, has created an unexpected financial windfall for Zoom. This event underscores a broader trend of established tech firms securing competitive advantages and financial upside through strategic venture capital plays in high-growth AI startups, fundamentally reshaping their investment profiles.
