Anthropic seeks founder majority voting control

Anthropic is seeking shareholder approval for a proposed share structure that would give its seven cofounders 50.1% of voting power on most corporate matters, according to reports based on people familiar with the company’s planning. The arrangement would apply only if at least three cofounders retain a minimum shareholding, whose threshold has not been disclosed. No approval outcome has been reported. The proposal would give Chief Executive Dario Amodei and six other cofounders special shares carrying additional voting rights, without increasing their economic ownership. The reported plan would allow the founders to hold a majority of votes on covered matters even if they own less than half of the company. The reported terms do not specify how many shares each qualifying founder would have to retain. The proposed voting control would not extend to choosing most directors. Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust would retain authority to select a majority of the board, while the founders’ board seats would rise from two to three. The board has seven seats, with one currently vacant, according to the reports.