Forbes AI 50 winners by year

Forbes · Industry list · usually Apr · next expected Apr 2027

Official page

Winners

50 of 200 winners

AbridgeMedical conversation documentation2024Source ↗

AdeptAI model developer2024Source ↗

Anduril IndustriesDefense software and hardware2024Source ↗

AnthropicAI model developer2024Source ↗

AnyscaleAI app deployment software2024Source ↗

AssemblyAISpeech transcription tooling provider2024Source ↗

BasetenAI app deployment software2024Source ↗

Cerebras SystemsComputer chip maker2024Source ↗

Character.AIConsumer chatbot app2024Source ↗

CleanlabError detection for data2024Source ↗

CodeiumCoding autocompletion app2024Source ↗

CohereAI model developer2024Source ↗

CradleProtein design for drug discovery2024Source ↗

CrestaCall center agent assistance2024Source ↗

DatabricksData storage and analytics2024Source ↗

DeepLLanguage translation service2024Source ↗

ElevenLabsVoice generation software2024Source ↗

Figure AIAutonomous humanoid robots2024Source ↗

GleanEnterprise search engine2024Source ↗

HarveyAI models for law firms2024Source ↗

HebbiaEnterprise search engine2024Source ↗

Hugging FaceLibrary for AI models and datasets2024Source ↗

InsitroDrug discovery and development2024Source ↗

Kumo.AIData analytics software2024Source ↗

LangChainAI app development tools2024Source ↗

Leonardo.AIImage generation service2024Source ↗

MidjourneyImage generation service2024Source ↗

Mistral AIOpen-source AI model research2024Source ↗

NotionProductivity software2024Source ↗

OpenAIAI model developer2024Source ↗

OwkinDrug discovery and development2024Source ↗

PerplexityGeneral purpose search app2024Source ↗

PhotoroomPhoto editing app2024Source ↗

PikaVideo generation service2024Source ↗

PineconeDatabase software2024Source ↗

ReplicateAI app deployment software2024Source ↗

Rosebud AIVideo game design software2024Source ↗

RunwayImage and video editing software2024Source ↗

SanaEnterprise learning and search2024Source ↗

Scale AIData labeling and software2024Source ↗

SierraCustomer service software2024Source ↗

SynthesiaAI avatar and video generator2024Source ↗

Together AIAI model development tools2024Source ↗

TomePresentation creation software2024Source ↗

TractianIndustrial machine maintenance2024Source ↗

UnstructuredAI app development tools2024Source ↗

Vannevar LabsDefense intelligence software2024Source ↗

WaabiAutonomous trucking technology2024Source ↗

WeaviateDatabase software2024Source ↗

WriterEnterprise generative AI software2024Source ↗

About this award

The 50 most promising privately held AI companies, picked with Sequoia and Meritech.

Edition	Announced	Winners
2026	Apr 16, 20266 months ago	50
2025	Apr 10, 20251 year ago	50
2024	Apr 11, 20242 years ago	50
2023	Apr 11, 20233 years ago	50

The next date is an estimate from the months past editions were announced (Apr); it changes when Forbes announces one.

Award detailsSep 25, 2026Now filed as industry list (was lists).

Date announcedSep 24, 2026Next edition expected Apr 2027 (was Apr 2026).

New winnersSep 24, 2026Editions 2023 to 2026 loaded with 200 winners; the 2026 edition named Databricks and 49 others.