Top 10 AI startups from Forbes AI 50 List

Images: Shutterstock Source: Forbes 2025 AI 50 List [{ "selector": ".tmmkt-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wtcmp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The Forbes Artificial Intelligence 50 List features the most promising privately-held companies using artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges.

Let's take a look at the top 10 companies on the 2025 list, the seventh edition, ranked by total funding.

OpenAI

Primary use: AI model developer Founded: 2015 Funding: $63.92 billion

Databricks

Primary use: Data storage and analytics Founded: 2013 Funding: $19 billion

Anthropic

Primary use: AI model developer Founded: 2020 Funding: $17 billion

XAI

Primary use: AI model developer Founded: 2023 Funding: $12.13 billion

Crusoe

Primary use: AI infrastructure F ounded: 2018 Funding: $1.6 billion

Scale AI

Primary use: Data labeling & AI infrastructure Founded: 2016 Funding: $1.6 billion

Cohere

Primary use: AI model developer Founded: 2019 Funding: $1 billion

Mistral AI

Primary use: Open source AI model developer Founded: 2023 Funding: $1.1 billion

SambaNova

Primary use: AI chipmaker Founded: 2017 Funding: $1.1 billion

Perplexity AI

Primary use: AI search engine Founded: 2015 Funding: $900 million

Major Q4 FY25 results next week

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