Anthropic and Hg to launch European AI consultancy by end of 2026

Anthropic and Hg’s European AI consultancy plans

Anthropic, the AI company, and London-based private equity firm Hg are reportedly establishing a new AI consultancy in Europe by the end of 2026. The venture aims to help businesses integrate AI technologies by embedding AI engineers and consultants within their teams. According to The Next Web, the consultancy will operate from offices in London and Berlin, targeting software companies and white-collar industries.

Funding and operational structure

Anthropic will fund its stake in the venture from its own balance sheet, while Hg will invest through its managed funds, including the London-listed HgCapital Trust. The consultancy will work alongside Hg’s existing team of around 150 AI specialists, which currently supports AI adoption across its portfolio. This collaboration is expected to complement rather than replace Hg’s internal AI initiatives.

Competitive landscape and market context

The move mirrors Anthropic’s US-based venture, Ode, a services company backed by $1.5 billion in investment from firms like Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, Goldman Sachs, and Apollo Global. OpenAI has also launched a similar initiative, the OpenAI Deployment Company, in partnership with private equity firms TPG, Advent, Bain Capital, and Brookfield.

This expansion intensifies competition with established IT consultancies such as Accenture and the Big Four accounting firms—Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC. These firms already generate significant revenue from advising businesses on technology adoption, a market Anthropic and Hg aim to disrupt.

Strategic implications for Anthropic

The European consultancy represents Anthropic’s first standalone investment in this space outside the US. It could provide a new revenue stream as the company scales its data centre infrastructure ahead of a planned stock market listing. The Next Web reports that Anthropic’s revenue growth slowed in the third quarter, adding urgency to diversify its income sources.

Anthropic’s track record in AI services

Anthropic previously launched Ode, a US-based AI services company backed by $1.5 billion in investment. Ode focuses on deploying AI engineers within client organizations, a model the European consultancy is expected to replicate. This aligns with a broader trend of AI companies partnering with private equity to accelerate enterprise adoption.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Anthropic’s push into Europe reflects a calculated bet on the demand for hands-on AI integration. For founders and operators, this signals two things:

1. A growing market for embedded AI talent: The consultancy’s model—placing engineers directly inside client teams—could become a template for how AI companies sell not just products but expertise. Startups in the AI tooling or enterprise software space may find themselves competing with these embedded teams for influence within client organizations.

2. Private equity as a force multiplier: Hg’s involvement underscores how private equity firms are positioning themselves as accelerators for AI adoption, particularly in sectors where they already hold investments. This could create opportunities for startups in Hg’s portfolio to fast-track AI projects, but it may also raise the bar for independent consultancies trying to compete on cost or flexibility.

3. Pressure on traditional consultancies: The entry of Anthropic and OpenAI into the consultancy space challenges incumbents like Accenture and the Big Four. Founders building AI-driven businesses may soon face a choice: work with legacy consultancies or partner with AI-native teams that offer direct access to cutting-edge models. The latter could be faster but may come with lock-in risks.

The timing—two years before launch—suggests Anthropic is playing a long game, likely aiming to build capabilities ahead of a potential IPO. For operators, this is a reminder that AI revenue models are evolving beyond API sales, and consultancy services could become a key differentiator for companies with deep technical talent.

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