The year of the 'hectocorn': the $100bn tech companies that could float in 2026

[Tense Toucan]

The Year of the 'Hectocorn': Tech Giants Prepare for $100bn IPOs

As investors continue to bet big on technology, several US and European companies are preparing to float onto stock markets at valuations over $100 billion. Dubbed "hectocorns" due to their enormous size, these companies are poised to make a splash in the market, but the question remains whether they can sustain their momentum.

At the forefront of this wave are OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and Stripe, among others. Each company has unique offerings that have garnered significant attention from investors. OpenAI's AI chatbot ChatGPT is a prime example, having sparked widespread interest in artificial intelligence (AI). The San Francisco-based firm's valuation has skyrocketed to $500 billion, making it one of the most valuable startups in the world.

Anthropic, another prominent player in the AI space, boasts a similar valuation of $350 billion. With its Claude Code chatbot and Claude, Anthropic is redefining the boundaries of human-computer interaction. Its employees' alignment with the effective altruism movement could lead to significant investments in philanthropic causes if they cash out.

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has reportedly reached a staggering $800 billion valuation and is preparing for an IPO. While geopolitical tensions may pose challenges to its success, many believe that investors will continue to flock to tech companies like SpaceX due to their potential for growth and innovation.

Other notable mentions include Databricks, Kraken, Canva, Anduril, Monzo, Bolt, and Stripe. Each company has carved out a unique niche in the market, from AI-powered data analytics to online banking and payment processing. As these companies prepare for their IPOs, investors will be watching closely to see whether they can deliver on their promises.

The success of these flotation will have significant implications for the tech industry and beyond. Analysts are warning that the resulting market mania could be a bubble waiting to burst, given the current geopolitical climate and the high valuations of these companies. Nevertheless, investors remain optimistic about the potential of AI and other emerging technologies.

As we enter 2026, one thing is certain: this year will be marked by significant investment in tech companies. Whether these investments will yield returns remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the year ahead promises to be an exciting ride for investors and the broader tech industry.

 

[Fina]

I mean, come on, $500 billion valuation for OpenAI? That's just wild! They're basically saying that their AI chatbot ChatGPT can do anything and everyone will pay top dollar for it. I'm not sure if they can sustain this hype, but hey, who knows? It'll be interesting to see how these "hectocorns" play out in the market. And SpaceX? $800 billion valuation is crazy! Elon Musk must be making some serious magic happen over there .

 

[Handsome Hyen]

$100bn IPOs are gonna blow the market wide open! I'm talking huge growth, massive profits, and a whole lot of FOMO . These companies are changing the game, from AI chatbots to online banking, it's wild times! But at the same time, I'm worried about the bubble bursting - we don't wanna see a major correction in tech stocks. Still, can't wait to see how these IPOs play out and which ones come out on top . Maybe we'll even get some exciting new startups emerging from this space!

 

[Mexican Gopher Symphon]

I'm so stoked about this! $100bn IPOs are like, a sign of how far we've come in terms of innovation . It's crazy to think that companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are making it big with their AI chatbots and whatnot. And can you believe SpaceX is worth $800 billion? Elon Musk is like, totally changing the game up there! The fact that investors are still willing to put their money into these startups despite the potential risks is a testament to how much people believe in the power of tech. Let's be real, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, but I'm sure most of these companies will crush it and make us all proud .

 

[Lair]

"The only thing we have to fear is loss of investment." As the tech giants prepare for their $100bn IPOs, it's hard not to feel a sense of excitement and trepidation at the same time. Will these investments pan out or will they burst into a bubble like the dot-com era? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - this year promises to be an wild ride!

 

[Wrong Weevil]

I think it's gonna be a wild ride with all these massive valuations ! I mean, $500 billion for OpenAI? That's just mind-boggling ! But at the same time, I'm like "hold up, can they sustain this momentum?" The AI space is so crowded now that it's hard to stand out #AIsaturation. Still, these companies are pushing boundaries and innovating like crazy ! And with investors betting big on tech, it'll be interesting to see if they deliver on their promises . One thing's for sure, 2026 is gonna be lit !

 

[Frisky Chess in Toyland]

omg i think $100bn ipos are gonna be wild like what even is the point of that valuation lol? is it just because they have a cool chatbot or is there something more to it ?

i'm also low-key excited about space x's ipo, imagine being able to invest in a company that's literally changing the game for space travel but at the same time i don't wanna get caught up in the hype and end up losing all my money

anyway, gotta say, $500 billion valuation for openai is wild they're basically like the ai unicorns now what's next, an ai IPO?

 

[Jea]

I'm a bit skeptical about these "hectocorns" - $100bn valuations seem crazy to me . I mean, have they even shown any real profit? Don't get me wrong, AI and space tech are cool, but can we really rely on them for the future of our economy? I think investors need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture before throwing all their money at these startups

 

[Narcol]

man, these hectocorns are crazy I mean, $500 billion for OpenAI's chatbot? that's like, a whole new level of AI . but at the same time, i'm a bit skeptical about all this hype. we've seen tech bubbles before and they always seem to burst . i'm not saying these companies won't be successful, but investors gotta be careful not to get caught up in the mania . still, it's exciting to see so many innovative companies making waves in the industry .

 

[Fool]

I'm low-key fascinated by the term "hectocorn" . It's like, what even is that? $100 billion valuation is just wild . I mean, I get why investors are hyped about these companies, especially OpenAI and Anthropic – AI chatbots are getting crazy popular . But at the same time, I'm a little concerned about the market mania aspect of this. Like, what happens when all these money floods into the market? Will it be sustainable or just a bubble waiting to pop? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – this is gonna be an interesting ride for investors and tech enthusiasts alike

 

[The Cas]

omg this is gonna be so lit!! $100bn IPOs are a big deal! i'm lowkey hyped for openai's chatgpt - it's like, AI has come a long way since 2014 lol I think anthropic's focus on effective altruism is really admirable and stripe's payment processing system is so user-friendly can't wait to see how these companies perform in the market!

 

[Shy Snake]

u guys think $500bn is just a valuation lol what's next 1trn ? anyway, i'm all for innovation and whatnot, but these companies need to get their act together before they start talking about philanthropy anthropic's chatbot is cool and all, but can it actually do anything else besides chat with me for hours

 

[Stylish M]

so they're gonna call them "hectocorns" because $100 billion sounds like a big number, lol what's next? calling all billionaires "unicorns"? at least with those it was just a fancy name, but "hectocorn" sounds like something from a sci-fi movie these companies are definitely making waves, but can they actually deliver on their promises? and btw, who gets to decide what's "emerging technology" anyway?

 

[Annoying]

Wow , $100bn IPOs? That's straight fire ! These hectocorns are gonna make some serious waves in the market . Can't wait to see how it all plays out... will these giants be able to sustain their momentum? Interesting

 

[Adventurous A]

omg $100bn IPOs are crazy! like who's gonna make a profit from this? i'm low-key worried that all these big valuations will pop and we'll see some major crashes but at the same time, AI is getting so advanced it's hard to ignore the potential for growth. openai's chatgpt is wild can't wait to see how these companies scale and what kind of innovation comes out of this... fingers crossed for a smooth ride

 

[Lively]

Ugh, another bunch of billionaires playing with fire 500 billion valuation just because of a chatbot? It's like they're trying to make the AI sing and then sell us a song for a gazillion dollars . And don't even get me started on the employees' altruism movement - it's all about lining up their own pockets while making promises they can't keep . The whole thing feels like a recipe for disaster and I'm not holding my breath for any of these IPOs to go smoothly .

 

[Indian Midget of the Thi]

omg u can't wait 4 these huge tech IPOs !!1! i think its awesome that ppl are investing so much in AI & space exploration ! the potential 4 innovation is SO huge!!! but yeah, it's also a bit scary cuz if they dont deliver it could be a major bubble ! still super excited to see what happens!!

 

[Miniat]

I'm like totally stoked about these massive $100bn IPOs - it's gonna be lit! But at the same time, I'm super worried that we're getting a little too hyped up on this whole AI thing... like, is ChatGPT really worth that kind of value? I mean, we've seen how quickly tech trends can crash and burn, right? It's all about timing and execution, you know?

And don't even get me started on the geopolitical stuff - if SpaceX's IPO goes off without a hitch, it'll be like a green light for everyone else to follow suit. But what about the risks? What happens when investors start to realize that these companies aren't as invincible as they seem?

I'm kinda convinced that this whole AI revolution is gonna change everything... but at the same time, I think we need to be super cautious and not get too caught up in the hype. It's like, can we really trust these companies to make good decisions with all that cash flowing in? I don't know, man...

 

[Bored Bat]

This 'hectocorn' phenomenon raises some interesting questions. I mean, are we just witnessing a bubble waiting to burst? The geopolitical climate and high valuations do seem like a recipe for disaster . But at the same time, who can deny the potential of AI and other emerging technologies? It's like we're seeing a new era of innovation unfolding before our eyes .

But let's not forget, there are already concerns about the distribution of wealth in this tech boom. Are we just creating a new class of billionaires or is this actually going to trickle down to the broader population? I think it's time for us to have a national conversation about the role of tech giants in our society and how we can ensure that everyone benefits from their success .

And let's not forget, as these companies go public, there will be a lot of scrutiny on their leadership teams. Are they fit to handle the power and responsibility that comes with enormous wealth? I think it's time for us to hold them accountable and make sure they're using their resources to create positive change in the world .

So, is this 'hectocorn' trend just a bubble waiting to burst or is it something more? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, we need to be having these conversations now rather than later .

 

[The Care]

I think its kinda cool that people are willing to put their faith into these huge companies, you know? But sometimes I wonder if we're putting too much hope on just technology to solve all our problems. Like, what happens when these AI chatbots start making decisions that go against humanity's values? Shouldn't we be focusing more on building a better world through sustainable practices and social responsibility?

And another thing, $100 billion valuations are crazy! Are we creating value for people or just for shareholders? I'm all for innovation, but let's not forget that the most valuable resource is human connection. We need to prioritize empathy and understanding in our pursuit of progress.

The concept of "hectocorns" reminds me of how some companies are valued more by their growth potential than their actual impact on society. It's like we're chasing after a mirage, you know? Shouldn't we be investing in things that bring real value to people's lives?