Anthropic Acquires Computer-Use AI Startup Vercept After Meta Poached One of Its Founders

The acquisition marks Anthropic's latest move to scale its Claude Code agent engine as it absorbs Vercept's talent and technology.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Anthropic has announced the acquisition of Vercept, an AI startup based in Seattle that developed complex agentic tools, including a computer-use agent that could operate a remote laptop. The deal comes after one of Vercept's co-founders, Matt Deitke, made headlines last year for negotiating a $250 million salary to join Meta's Superintelligence Lab. As part of the acquisition, Anthropic is shutting down Vercept's product on March 25, but is bringing on co-founders Kiana Ehsani, Luca Weihs, and Ross Girshick to join the Anthropic team.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Vercept is the latest move by Anthropic to bolster its AI agent capabilities as it competes with tech giants like Meta for top AI talent. Vercept was a well-funded and high-profile startup in the Seattle AI ecosystem, having raised $50 million from an impressive list of angel investors. The deal highlights the intense competition to build the next generation of AI agents that can operate computers and complete complex tasks.

The details

Vercept was a graduate of Seattle's AI-focused incubator A12, which has ties to the Allen Institute for AI. The startup had developed tools for more complex agentic tasks, including its product Vy, a computer-use agent in the cloud that could operate a remote Apple Macbook. As part of the deal, Anthropic is shuttering Vercept's product on March 25 and bringing on co-founders Ehsani, Weihs, and Girshick to join the Anthropic team. However, not all of Vercept's co-founders are joining Anthropic, including Matt Deitke, who made headlines last year for negotiating a $250 million salary to join Meta's Superintelligence Lab.

  • Anthropic announced the acquisition of Vercept on February 25, 2026.
  • Vercept's product Vy will be shut down on March 25, 2026.

The players

Anthropic

An artificial intelligence company that develops advanced language models and AI agents, including its flagship product Claude.

Vercept

An AI startup based in Seattle that developed complex agentic tools, including a computer-use agent that could operate a remote laptop.

Kiana Ehsani

The CEO of Vercept, who is joining Anthropic as part of the acquisition.

Matt Deitke

A co-founder of Vercept who made headlines last year for negotiating a $250 million salary to join Meta's Superintelligence Lab.

Oren Etzioni

The founding leader of the Allen Institute for AI, who was previously named as a co-founder and investor in Vercept, but is not joining Anthropic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The choices were clear: we could build independently and work toward the same vision as two separate versions of it, or join forces with an incredible team and accelerate that vision into reality. The decision became an easy choice.”

— Kiana Ehsani, CEO of Vercept (LinkedIn)

“After a little bit more than a year, Vercept is throwing in the towel and giving their customers 30 days to get off the platform. Sad. A fantastic team is joining Anthropic. I wish them the very best!”

— Oren Etzioni, Founding leader of the Allen Institute for AI (LinkedIn)

What’s next

Anthropic plans to integrate Vercept's technology and talent into its efforts to scale its Claude Code agent engine.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Vercept by Anthropic highlights the intense competition in the AI industry to develop the next generation of advanced AI agents that can operate computers and complete complex tasks. As tech giants like Meta continue to poach top AI talent, smaller startups like Vercept are being absorbed into larger players in the space.