Ode and Anthropic forge path in AI with new enterprise venture. The news article discusses a joint venture between Ode and Anthropic, focusing on integrating engineers directly into enterprise firms to leverage AI services, with backing from major financial players such as Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman Sachs. * Ode is a company that acquired Fractional AI, an applied AI services startup, to serve as the core of this new initiative. * The discussion is part of a TechCrunch Equity podcast, where Rebecca Bellan interviews Chris Taylor and Eddie Siegel, leaders at Ode. * Key topics include: * Why many AI pilots in enterprises fail to reach production. * The potential of AI-native services becoming significant in the tech industry. * The article provides various links to subscribe or follow the podcast on multiple platforms like YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Blackstone-Anthropic venture buys US AI startup Fractional. An enterprise AI services venture backed by Blackstone, Anthropic, and Hellman & Friedman has made its first acquisition by choosing San Francisco-based startup Fractional AI as its operating core. The deal will end Fractional AI's 11-month partnership with OpenAI. The new venture plans to help midsize companies adopt generative AI tools including Anthropic's Claude. Terms were not disclosed. The venture's other investors include Apollo Global Management, General Atlantic, Leonard Green, GIC, and Sequoia Capital. Food for thought. Implications, context, and why it matters. The investor list marks a more mature enterprise AI market. * The backers suggest AI investing is moving away from pure tech wagers toward the work of putting tools into use inside companies 1. * Support from Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Apollo Global Management leans toward steady revenue from established midsize businesses instead of speculative expansion 1. * This mix differs from early venture capital and implies the underlying AI is ready for wider commercial use 1. AI platform competition is moving through service partners. * Anthropic's support could give the venture a built-in sales and deployment channel as it competes with OpenAI for enterprise accounts 1. * The purchase of San Francisco-based startup Fractional AI as the operating core brings immediate know-how for rolling out generative AI tools, which is faster than assembling a services group from scratch 1. * This approach, where a model maker backs a focused services firm, could spread across the industry and turn competition into a push to build stronger business networks 1. Stay updated on the go with our mobile app. Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app. How would you feel if you could no longer use Tech in Asia? Share, tag us, and land on our Wall of!