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The 30 early-stage startups in 2026: most likely to become tech's next unicorns
The cofounders of Created by Humans, left to right: Jen Singerman, Trip Adler and Edward IgushevCreated by HumansThe VC firm TRAC developed a model that uses AI to predict which startups are likely to become unicorns.Unicorns are startups valued at more than $1 billion.TRAC says startups on the list have a 1-in-5 chance of becoming unicorns.For decades, venture capital has run on instinct as a relationship-driven business built on gut calls and insider access to Silicon Valley's hottest startups. Now, in the middle of the AI boom, one firm is trying to turn startup investing into a data science.San Francisco-based TRAC has used a proprietary AI model to generate a fresh list of early-stage startups it predicts are most likely to become unicorns, or companies valued at more than a billion dollars. And two companies from its last list have already exploded into $11 billion juggernauts.In 2023, TRAC first revealed 30 of the startups its model identified exclusively with Business Insider and also pulled back the curtain on its methodology.The list included two relatively unknown companies at the time that are now among the hottest startups in venture: Harvey, a legal tech startup, and Kalshi, a prediction market, both valued at $11 billion.TRAC's model, which the firm calls "Moneyball for venture capital," is based on over 30 sources of both public and private data. The model starts by identifying the many startups unlikely to succeed rather than picking winners."We don't look for needles in the haystack," explained Joe Aaron, TRAC's cofounder and managing partner. "We remove the haystack."TRAC has found that a company's founders do not predict success. Instead, its algorithm prioritizes 286 top investors."These extraordinary investors make a profit on two-thirds of their positions and one in five of their investments returns over 10X," Aaron explained.Less than yüzde 2 of all startups attract these elite investors, so that eliminates over yüzde 98. of all startups from TRAC's formula.How accurate is the algorithm? Venture investing is typically judged after a decade or more, so it is too soon to know for sure.The firm says the companies it identifies have a one-in-five probability of becoming a unicorn. Advances in AI make this year's list more accurate than ever, but that is not necessarily good news for investors."It is easier today for our AI to identify future unicorns than ever before," said Fred Campbell, TRAC's managing partner. "Conversely, it is harder than ever to secure allocation in funding rounds of the fastest-growing future unicorns."That is because so many VCs are chasing the hottest companies. The hard part is not identifying the companies, but getting founders to accept a check."Competition to invest in the 'hot' companies is as fierce as we've seen in decades," Campbell said. "TRAC is seeing investor demand exceed round sizes by 10X, meaning for every $1 the company wants to raise, investors are offering $on."Companies are raising so quickly that, in the weeks Business Insider was working on the list, five companies fell off because they raised new funding at valuations above $1 billion.Before any more startups graduate, here is the updated list of 30 companies in 2026, identified by TRAC's model, in alphabetical order.AllaraAllara founder and CEO Rachel BlankAllaraWhat it does: A Virtual care platform for women's health, covered by insuranceWhen it was founded: 2020Last post-money valuation: $145 million, according to PitchbookTotal raised: $46.99 million, according to PitchbookFounder and CEO: Rachel BlankSelect investors: Index Ventures, GV, Vanterra, Maggie SellersAnaraNaveed Janmohamed is the founder of AnaraAnaraWhat it does: Helps researchers find, understand, and produce scientific content faster by deeply integrating AI into every part of the research workflow.When it was founded: 2023Last post-money valuation: $70 millionTotal raised: $13 millionFounder: Naveed JanmohamedSelect investors: Pioneer Fund, Rebel Fund, Y Combinator, Preston-Werner VenturesBlueprintDanny Freed is the founder and CEO of BlueprintBlueprintWhat it does: AI Operating System for Mental Health CliniciansWhen it was founded: 2019Last post-money valuation: UndisclosedTotal raised: $32 millionFounder and CEO: Danny FreedSelect investors: Lightbank, Bonfire Ventures, Ensemble VC, LGVPBrowser UseBrowser Use cofounders Magnus Muller (left) and Gregor ŽuničBrowser UseWhat it does: Enables AI agents to interact with websites. Leading open source library and infrastructure for intelligent browser automation.When it was founded: 2024Total raised: $17 millionLast post money valuation: UndisclosedCofounder and CEO: Magnus MullerSelect investors: Y Combinator, Felicis Ventures, A Capital, Nexus Venture PartnersCreated By HumansThe cofounders of Created by Humans, left to right: Jen Singerman, Trip Adler and Edward IgushevCreated by HumansWhat it does: Develops an artificial intelligence-based rights licensing platform that connects human creators with AI companies.When it was founded: 2024Last post money valuation: UndisclosedTotal raised: $12 millionCofounder and CEO: Trip AdlerSelect investors: Floodgate, Giant Ventures, Daft Capital, Garry TanCrosbyJohn Sarihan and Ryan Daniels, CrosbyBrandon Sampson/BranCrosbydon SampsonWhat it does: A hybrid law firm that uses AI and human lawyers to review and negotiate business contracts.When it was founded: 2024Last post-money valuation: not disclosedTotal raised: $25.8 million, according to the companyFounders: Ryan Daniels and John SarihanSelect investors: Sequoia Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, and Index VenturesDraftwiseWhat it does: Develops a knowledge management and intelligence platform that assists clients with technology and compliance needs.When it was founded: 2020Last post money valuation: UndisclosedTotal raised: $25 million, according to PitchbookCofounder and CEO: James DingSelect investors: Index Ventures, Y Combinator, Soma CapitalExtropicWhat it does: Develops thermodynamic computing hardware that it says is radically more energy efficient than GPUs.When it was founded: 2022Last post-money valuation: $50 million, according to PitchBookTotal raised: $14 million, according to PitchBookCofounder and CEO: Guillaume Verdon-AkzamSelect investors: E1 Ventures, Kindred Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, Weekend FundExabits AIWhat it does: Develops decentralized infrastructure for artificial intelligence facilities.When it was founded: 2021Total raised: $15 million, according to PitchbookLast post-money valuation: $150 million, according to PitchbookCofounder and CEO: Hoansoo LeeNotable investors: Google Accelerator, Harvard Innovation Launch Lab, Hack VCEyebotMatthias Hofmann, EyebotEyebotWhat it does: Makes self-serve kiosks that run a vision test and generate a doctor-verified glasses prescription in about 90 secondsWhen it was founded: 2021Last post-money valuation: $yüz million, according to the companyTotal raised: $28 million, according to the companyCofounder and CEO: Matthias HofmannSelect investors: AlleyCorp, Baukunst, General Catalyst, National Science Foundation, Village GlobalFathomWhat it does: Builds AI that turns clinicians' notes into the standardized billing and reimbursement codes insurers require, cutting down the paperwork that slows down paymentsWhen it was founded: 2015Last post-money valuation: $45 million, according to PitchBookTotal raised: $61 million, according to the companyCofounder and CEO: Andrew LockhartSelect investors: Alkeon Capital, Cedars-Sinai, Founders Fund, Lightspeed Venture PartnersGetlabsWhat it does: Sends a trained professional to your home or office to draw your blood and bring it to a lab for testing, so you don't have to go to a clinicWhen it was founded: 2018Last post-money valuation: $68 million, according to PitchBookTotal raised: $40 million, according to PitchBookCEO: Claire HoughSelect investors: Emerson Collective, Minderoo Foundation, Tusk Venture Partners, Anne WojcickiGlass ImagingWhat it does: Uses AI to make camera images sharper and cleaner by correcting flaws from the camera's lens and sensor, so devices like phones and drones can produce much higher-quality imagesWhen it was founded: 2019Last post-money valuation: $yüz million, according to PitchBookTotal raised: $31 million, according to PitchBookCofounder and CEO: Ziv AttarSelect investors: Abstract Ventures, Future Ventures, GV, Insight PartnersKickConrad WadowskiKickWhat it does: Uses AI to automatically keep a small business's books up to date, tracking income and expenses and producing tax-ready financial reportsWhen it was founded: 2021Last post-money valuation: $90 million in 2024; Kick declined to share its latest valuationTotal raised: $20 million, according to the companyFounder and CEO: Conrad WadowskiSelect investors: Felicis, General Catalyst, GV OpenAI Startup FundKnowunityWhat it does: Develops interactive learning software to help students with their everyday school life.When it was founded: 2019Total raised: $53 million, according to PitchbookLast post money valuation: UndisclosedCofounder and CEO: Benedict KurzSelect investors: Combination VC, EduCapital, Redalpine, XAngeLightyearDennis Thankachan, CEO of LightyearLightyearWhat it does: Software that automates how companies buy and manage their telecom services.When it was founded: 2019Last post-money valuation: $335 million, according to PitchbookTotal raised: $65 million, according to the companyFounders: Dennis Thankachan and Ryan ShrackSelect investors: Altos Ventures, Amplo, Susa Ventures, Mark CubanMem0Deshraj Yadav and Taranjeet Singh, cofounders of Mem0Mem0What it does: Builds a memory layer to help AI become more personalized and useful over time.When it was founded: 2023Last post-money valuation: not disclosedTotal raised: $23.9 million, according to the company.Founders: Taranjeet Singh and Deshraj YadavSelect investors: Basis Set Ventures, Peak XV Partners, Y Combinator, Kindred Ventures, and Dharmesh ShahMomentDylan Parker, Dean Hathout, and Ammer Soliman, MomentIndex VenturesWhat it does: Builds software for large financial institutions that helps them manage portfolios and execute trades more efficiently.When it was founded: 2022Last post-money valuation: $56 million, according to the companyTotal raised: $308 million, according to PitchbookFounders: Dylan Parker, Ammer Soliman, and Dean HathoutSelect investors: Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Index VenturesPaladin DronesDivyaditya Shrivastava, Paladin DronesPaladin Drones)What it does: Send autonomous drones to 911 calls in order to assist first responders.When it was founded: 2018Last post-money valuation: not disclosedTotal raised: Roughly $15 million, according to the company.Founder: Divyaditya ShrivastavaSelect investors: Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, and Toyota VenturesPatlyticsPaul Lee and Arthur Jen, PatlyticsPatlyticsWhat it does: Patlytics builds AI software that helps companies and law firms draft, analyze, and manage patents much faster by automating complex legal work.When it was founded: January 2024Last post-money valuation: not disclosedTotal raised: $25.6MCEO: Paul LeeFounders: Paul Lee, Arthur JenSelect investors: Next47 (Siemens), Gradient Ventures (Google), 8VC, Alumni Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Myriad Venture PartnersPolymath RoboticsStefan Seltz-Axmacher, PolymathPolymathWhat it does: Polymath Robotics builds software, so heavy-duty vehicles in industries like mining and farming can drive themselves safely.When it was founded: 2021Last post-money valuation: UndisclosedTotal raised: UndisclosedFounders: Stefan Seltz-Axmacher (CEO), Ilia Baranov (CTO)Select investors: TRAC.vc, Thursday Ventures, Y Combinator, SOMA VenturesRocketlaneDeepak Bala, Srikrishnan Ganesan, and Vignesh Girishankar, RocketlaneRocketlaneWhat it does: A tool that helps companies run client projects smoothly by keeping all the tasks, updates, and paperwork in one place and automating the busywork.When it was founded: 2020Last post-money valuation: not disclosedTotal raised: $45 millionFounders: Deepak Bala, Srikrishnan Ganesan, Vignesh GirishankarSelect investors: 8VC, Nexus Venture Partners, Z47ScanbaseJeffrey Lange and Steve Roger, ScanbaseScanbaseWhat it does: Uses computer vision and AI to interpret medical imaging results for at-home tests.When it was founded: 2022Last valuation: $288 millionTotal raised: $2.5MFounders: Jeffrey Lange, Steve RogerSelect investors: Y Combinator, TRAC, Liquid 2, Rebel Partners, Meridian VenturesStarcloudPhilip Johnston, StarcloudStarcloudWhat it does: Builds data centers in space in order to address the AI energy bottleneck.When it was founded: 2024Last post-money valuation: $40 million last priced round, according to PitchbookTotal raised: $34 million, according to PitchbookFounders: Philip Johnston, Ezra Feilden, Adi OlteanSelect investors: NFX, In-Q-Tel, Y Combinator, Caffeinated Capital, Plug & PlayTaxGPTKashif Ali, TaxGPTTaxGPTWhat it does: an AI-powered assistant for tax professionals and accountants.When it was founded: 2023Last post-money valuation: $yüz millionTotal raised: $6.25 million, according to the companyFounders: Kashif Ali, Isabella AliSelect investors: YCombinator, Launch, Jason Calcanics, Magusta Capital, Rebel Fund, Trac Unicorn Fund, Principle Venture Partners.Terzo AIBrandon Card, Terzo AITerzo AIWhat it does: Terzo AI turns contracts, invoices and POs into financial intelligence.When it was founded: 2020Last post-money valuation: undisclosedTotal raised: $40 millionCo/founder and CEO: Brandon CardSelect investors: Great Oaks Ventures, Align Ventures, Engage Ventures, PIFTinyFishWhat it does: TinyFish's AI-powered agents search the web for business context and come back with actionable intelligence for companies.When it was founded: 2024Last post-money valuation: undisclosedTotal raised: $47 millionCofounder and CEO: Sudheer NairSelect investors: Iconiq Capital, MongoDB Ventures, Sandberg Bernthal Venture PartnersTurion SpaceWhat it does: Builds spacecraft to track objects in orbit and clean up space debris.When it was founded: 2020Last post-money valuation: $55 million, according to PitchbookTotal raised: $37.54 million, according to PitchbookFounders: Ryan Westerdahl, Tyler Pierce, and Patryk WiatrSelect investors: Y Combinator, United States Space Force, and DG Daiwa VenturesVectorJoshua Perk, VectorVectorWhat it does: helps marketers with contact-level targeting and shows customers who are seeing their ads.When it was founded: 2022Last post-money valuation: $yüz million, according to the companyTotal raised: $18 millionCo-founder and CEO: Joshua PerkSelect investors: SignalFire, Y CombinatorZedWhat it does: Zed provides a code editor for software developers. When it was founded: 2021Last post-money valuation: $153 million, according to PitchbookTotal raised: $45.4 million, according to PitchbookCofounder and CEO: Nathan SoboSelect investors: Sequoia Capital, Redpoint VenturesRead the original article on Business Insider
