For the 11th consecutive year, Forbes and TrueBridge Capital Partners have spotlighted 25 venture-backed startups in the U.S. that show the greatest potential to reach a $1 billion valuation.

Artificial intelligence leads the pack, with 20 of the 25 startups focused on AI applications spanning military, accounting, and healthcare sectors.

Historically, this list boasts a remarkable success rate: 56% of alumni have reached unicorn status, including major players like DoorDash and Figma.

Why Artificial Intelligence Dominates This Year’s Venture-Backed Startup List

This year’s focus on AI reflects the technology’s expanding role in transforming industries.

Startups harness AI for everything from improving patient matching in medical device trials to automating clerical accounting tasks.

The broad applicability of AI solutions fuels investor confidence and startup growth.

Leading AI Startups Revolutionizing Healthcare, Defense, and Business

AcuityMD: Transforming Medical Device Marketing with Patient Data

Boston-based AcuityMD helps medical device manufacturers identify physicians best suited for their products using anonymized data on 325 million patients. This approach aids companies like Synchron and Intellijoint in targeting clinical trials and marketing new surgical tools efficiently.

Apex: Standardizing Satellite Production for Military and Commercial Use

Los Angeles startup Apex addresses the demand for rapid satellite deployment, offering modular, customizable satellites to clients such as the Pentagon. The company secured a $46 million Space Force contract, aiming to reduce costs and speed production through mass manufacturing techniques.

Assort Health: Cutting Patient Wait Times with AI Chatbots

San Francisco’s Assort Health combats overwhelming phone traffic in medical offices by deploying an AI text-to-voice chatbot. The tool matches patient appointment needs to physician availability, drastically reducing wait times for health providers, including Chesapeake Healthcare.

Innovations Driving Efficiency in Business and Technology

Basis: AI-Powered Accounting to Streamline Clerical Work

New York City’s Basis leverages AI to perform clerical accounting tasks swiftly, such as extracting data from receipts. After integrating the software, accounting firms report nearly 30% faster processing times, with added security benefits protecting sensitive information.

Braintrust: Monitoring AI Accuracy for Business Applications

Braintrust provides an AI command center that tracks the performance of AI-powered apps, ensuring accuracy and troubleshooting errors. Companies like Stripe and Instacart rely on Braintrust to maintain AI reliability in their services.

Gamma: Automating Presentations with AI-Generated Content

Gamma’s AI software enables users to create polished presentations, websites, and social media posts from raw text or documents. With over 50 million users globally, Gamma has gained traction at firms including Amazon and Zoom.

Emerging AI Solutions Impacting Diverse Industries

Collate: Automating Life Sciences Paperwork with AI

San Francisco-based Collate uses AI to expedite regulatory paperwork for life sciences firms, significantly reducing processes that traditionally take months into just days. Founder Surbhi Sarna highlights this acceleration as a major breakthrough.

Forterra: Self-Driving Vehicles for Military and Public Use

Forterra develops autonomous vehicles for military applications, including mine-clearing robots and self-driving missile launchers. CEO Josh Araujo emphasizes how removing human drivers enhances soldier safety and reduces vehicle costs.

Loyal: Extending Canine Longevity with AI-Driven Drug Development

Loyal, founded by Celine Halioua, focuses on developing drugs to delay aging in dogs by targeting metabolic and hormonal imbalances. The company’s innovative approach may pave the way for longevity treatments in humans as well.

PHOTO: ACUITYMD

This article was created with AI assistance.