Sales Automation Unicorn Clay Hits $5 Billion Valuation in Second Tender Offer Led by DST Global

Clay, the AI-powered sales automation startup, recently launched its second tender offer to provide employee liquidity amid explosive growth.

Led by DST Global, the tender allows employees to sell up to $55 million in shares at a whopping $5 billion valuation.

Clay's Meteoric Rise and Funding History

Founded in 2017 in New York by Kareem Amin and Varun Anand, Clay helps businesses find and nurture customers using innovative AI go-to-market tools.

The company has raised $206 million in equity, including a landmark $100 million round in August 2025 that pegged its valuation at $3.1 billion.

By December 2025, Clay achieved $100 million in annual recurring revenue, now serving 14,000 customers with a team of 300 employees.

Evolution of Tender Offers at Clay

The first tender offer in May 2025, led by Sequoia Capital, valued the company at $1.5 billion and marked an early liquidity milestone.

This second offer in January 2026 reflects surging demand and allows new investors to join without primary dilution.

CEO Insights on Employee Rewards

"Why not do a tender offer?" quipped CEO Kareem Amin, highlighting how it makes equity tangible for life events like buying homes or funding education.

Impact, Retention, and Long-Term Vision

These tenders enhance talent retention and recruitment by signaling the real value of stock options in a competitive market.

With low burn rates and near profitability, Clay prioritizes building a generational business over short-term exits.

Amin emphasized no IPO or acquisition plans, focusing instead on customer growth and future milestones that could trigger more tenders.