Top AI Startups to Watch in 2024

Last year, we spotlighted the top 100 generative AI startups to watch. But the landscape has evolved dramatically since then. The past year has seen a wave of emerging AI startups, each bringing fresh ideas and promising to reshape various industries.

We’ve also seen key figures making notable moves, including the founders of Character.AI, who originally left Google but have now returned to Google DeepMind. OpenAI, too, has experienced several high-profile departures in recent months.

Just last month, OpenAI co-founder John Schulman departed from the company he co-founded in 2015 for rival AI startup Anthropic, leaving only two original co-founders still active. Last week, Ilya Sutskever, another co-founder, raised $1 billion for his new venture, Safe Superintelligence (SSI), after leaving OpenAI in May. This marks a significant shift in the AI sector, witnessing consolidation and reshuffling.

With billions flowing into generative AI ventures, the AI sector continues to transform rapidly, and new startups are emerging constantly. These companies are pushing the limits of what AI can achieve, addressing key challenges in various fields.

This article highlights the top AI companies and 100 of the fastest-growing AI startups to watch in 2024, selected based on factors like funding rounds, market traction, technological innovation, and insights from research firm CB Insights.

While OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI continue to be at the forefront of AI innovation, they are just a few of the hundreds of promising AI startups out there. Below is a round-up of 100 of the fastest-growing AI startups to watch in 2024.

Key highlights from the 2024 list include:

• Representation from 16 countries, including the US, France, and South Africa
• Over 30 categories of solutions, ranging from foundational models to humanoids
• 68% are early-stage startups working on projects such as virtual worlds, autonomous factories, and language models for underrepresented languages
• More than 600 business relationships since 2016 with industry leaders like Toyota, Netflix, and the World Bank

Research Methodology

The CB Insights team identified the top startups based on data sets that include deal activity, industry partnerships, team strength, investor influence, patent activity, and proprietary Mosaic Scores. Their analysis also included exclusive interviews with software buyers and reviews of Analyst Briefings submitted by startups.

Here’s a look at 100 of the fastest-growing AI startups to watch in 2024:

100 Fastest-growing AI startups and companies to watch in 2024

Infrastructure and Core AI

1. OpenAI: Develops advanced large-scale machine learning models such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and DALL-E
2. Anthropic: Focuses on developing large language models and researching AI safety.
3. Cohere: Specializes in creating natural language processing APIs.
4. Hugging Face: An open-source hub for AI models and development tools.
5. Stability AI: Works on open-source generative AI models.
6. Inflection AI: Develops large language models.
7. Adept: Builds AI models designed to use software tools.
8. Together AI: Provides AI infrastructure and model development.
9. Sakana AI: Creates AI architectures inspired by nature.
10. AI21 Labs: Offers large language models and NLP tools.

Enterprise AI

1. Scale AI: A platform for training data and AI development.
2. Dataiku: Provides AI and machine learning solutions for enterprises.
3. DataRobot: An automated machine learning platform.
4. H2O.ai: An open-source platform for machine learning.
5. Domino Data Lab: Specializes in MLOps for enterprises.
6. Weights & Biases: A platform for managing machine learning operations.
7. Tecton: A feature store designed for machine learning.
8. Snorkel AI: Focuses on data labeling and weak supervision.
9. Labelbox: Provides a platform for managing training data.
10. Arthur AI: Monitors and explains AI decisions.

Generative AI

1. Midjourney: Focused on AI-driven image generation.
2. Jasper: A platform for AI-based content creation.
3. Runway: Offers AI-powered tools for video editing and generation.
4. Synthesia: Specializes in AI-generated video content.
5. ElevenLabs: Provides AI voice synthesis and cloning services.
6. Descript: An AI-driven platform for editing audio and video.
7. Tome: A tool for AI-assisted storytelling and presentations.
8. Typeface: A generative AI platform for enterprise needs.
9. Rephrase.ai: Focuses on generating AI-driven videos.
10. Ideogram: Develops text-to-image generation technology with clear text output.

Computer Vision

1. Clarifai: A multi-modal AI platform specializing in computer vision.
2. Cognex: Develops machine vision systems and software.
3. AnyVision: Focuses on facial recognition and computer vision technology.
4. Oosto: Provides face recognition and video analytics solutions.
5. Ambient.ai: Utilizes computer vision for physical security applications.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

1. Covariant: Builds AI-driven robotic systems.
2. Robust AI: Offers a cognitive AI platform for robotics.
3. Sanctuary AI: Develops general-purpose humanoid robots.
4. Dexterity: Provides end-to-end solutions for robotics.
5. Skydio: Specializes in creating autonomous drones.

Natural Language Processing

1. Primer: An NLP and machine learning platform.
2. Moveworks: Provides AI tools for IT support.
3. Cresta: Enhances customer conversations with real-time intelligence.
4. Rasa: An open-source platform for conversational AI.
5. Deepgram: Focuses on speech recognition and audio intelligence.

Healthcare AI

1. Tempus: Uses AI to advance precision medicine.
2. Insitro: Applies machine learning to drug discovery.
3. Owkin: Focuses on medical research and drug development with AI.
4. Viz.ai: Provides AI solutions for stroke care coordination.
5. Abridge: Offers AI-based transcription services for healthcare.

Financial Services AI

1. Upstart: An AI-driven lending platform.
2. Affirm: Provides AI-powered point-of-sale lending.
3. Zest AI: Specializes in AI for credit underwriting.
4. Feedzai: Offers AI solutions for fraud detection and anti-money laundering.
5. Behavox: Provides AI-powered compliance tools.

Cybersecurity AI

1. Darktrace: Focuses on AI-driven cyber defense.
2. SentinelOne: Offers AI-based endpoint security solutions.
3. Abnormal Security: Provides AI for email security.
4. Vectra AI: Specializes in AI for threat detection and response.
5. Cybereason: Develops AI-driven endpoint protection.

Marketing and Sales AI

1. Gong: Provides AI tools for revenue intelligence.
2. Drift: A platform for conversational marketing and sales.
3. 6sense: Focuses on AI-powered revenue optimization.
4. Persado: An AI tool for marketing content generation.
5. Chorus.ai: Offers conversation intelligence for sales teams.

HR and Recruiting AI

1. Eightfold AI: A talent intelligence platform.
2. Pymetrics: Specializes in AI-based soft skills assessments.
3. HireVue: Provides AI-driven video interviewing and assessments.
4. Paradox: An AI recruiting assistant.
5. Phenom: Offers a platform for AI-enhanced talent experiences.

Education AI

1. Century Tech: An AI-powered platform for learning.
2. Knewton: Provides adaptive learning technology.
3. Third Space Learning: Offers online math tutoring supported by AI.
4. Querium: Specializes in AI-driven STEM tutoring.
5. Carnegie Learning: Develops AI-based software for math education.

Legal AI

1. Harvey: Provides AI tools for legal research and contract analysis.
2. Casetext: An AI-driven platform for legal research.
3. Ironclad: Specializes in AI-based contract management.
4. Kira Systems: Uses machine learning for contract analysis.
5. ROSS Intelligence: Offers AI tools for legal research.

Manufacturing and Industrial AI

1. Bright Machines: Develops intelligent automation for manufacturing.
2. Augury: Uses AI for machine health diagnostics.
3. Fero Labs: Applies machine learning to industrial optimization.
4. Noodle.ai: Provides AI solutions for supply chain and manufacturing.
5. Veo Robotics: Focuses on computer vision for industrial robots.

Agriculture AI

1. Prospera: Develops AI technology for agriculture.
2. Blue River Technology: Specializes in precision agriculture with AI.
3. Farmers Edge: Offers AI-driven agronomic solutions.
4. Taranis: Uses AI for crop monitoring.
5. Trace Genomics: Focuses on AI for soil health analysis.

Energy and Sustainability AI

1. DeepMind (Google): Optimizes energy grids with AI.
2. Climacell: Provides AI-powered weather intelligence.
3. AiDash: Uses AI for utility vegetation management.
4. Urbint: Focuses on AI for infrastructure and worker safety.
5. Pachama: Verifies carbon credits with AI technology.

Emerging AI Applications

1. Lelapa AI: Specializes in NLP for African languages.
2. Atomic Industries: Uses AI for tool and die manufacturing.
3. Rosebud AI: Focuses on text-to-game generation.
4. Flawless AI: Offers AI-powered video dubbing for films.
5. World Labs: Develops 3D physicality estimation of real-world objects.

Top 100 AI Companies in The World

Below is a graphic of the top 100 promising AI companies to watch in 2024

Top 100 AI Companies in The World (Click to expand)

Looking Ahead