Forbes AI 50 winners by year

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

Official page

Winners

50 of 200 winners

AbridgeAI notetaker for doctors2025Source ↗

AnthropicAI model developer2025Source ↗

AnysphereAI coding tools2025Source ↗

BasetenAI app deployment software2025Source ↗

CaptionsVideo editor2025Source ↗

ClayAI go-to-market tools2025Source ↗

Coactive AIData labeling software2025Source ↗

CohereAI model developer2025Source ↗

CrusoeAI infrastructure2025Source ↗

DatabricksData storage and analytics2025Source ↗

DecagonAI agents for customer service2025Source ↗

DeepLLanguage translation service2025Source ↗

ElevenLabsVoice generation software2025Source ↗

Figure AIHumanoid robots2025Source ↗

Fireworks AIAI app development software2025Source ↗

GleanEnterprise search engine2025Source ↗

HarveyLegal automation software2025Source ↗

HebbiaGeneral purpose AI for finance and legal2025Source ↗

Hugging FaceOpen-source library for AI models2025Source ↗

LambdaAI cloud provider2025Source ↗

LangChainAI app development tools2025Source ↗

LuminanceEnterprise contract automation2025Source ↗

MercorAI-powered hiring platform2025Source ↗

MidjourneyImage generation service2025Source ↗

Mistral AIOpen source AI model developer2025Source ↗

NotionProductivity software2025Source ↗

OpenAIAI model developer2025Source ↗

OpenEvidenceChatGPT for doctors2025Source ↗

Perplexity AIAI search engine2025Source ↗

PhotoroomPhoto editing app2025Source ↗

PikaVideo generation service2025Source ↗

RunwayVideo and image editing software2025Source ↗

Sakana AIAI models for science and research2025Source ↗

SambaNovaAI chipmaker2025Source ↗

Scale AIData labeling and AI infrastructure2025Source ↗

SierraCustomer service software2025Source ↗

Skild AIAI systems for robotics2025Source ↗

Snorkel AIEnterprise data labelling2025Source ↗

SpeakAI language tutor2025Source ↗

StackBlitzWeb and mobile app development2025Source ↗

SunoMusic and sound generation2025Source ↗

SynthesiaAI avatar and video generator2025Source ↗

Thinking Machine LabsAI research company2025Source ↗

Together AIAI cloud provider2025Source ↗

VAST DataAI data infrastructure software2025Source ↗

Vannevar LabsDefense intelligence software2025Source ↗

WindsurfAI-powered coding tool2025Source ↗

World LabsSpatial intelligence2025Source ↗

WriterEnterprise AI software2025Source ↗

XAIAI model developer2025Source ↗

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.