About Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
The Artificial Intelligence sector in United States comprises 16.4K companies, including 4.66K funded companies having collectively raised $712B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 1.98K are Series A+ funded, and 205 have achieved unicorn status.
Artificial Intelligence sector in United States has seen 517 acquisitions and 59 IPOs.
This sector includes companies whose core products or offerings are (a) built around AI, making it essential for their operation, and (b) incorporate proprietary AI or machine learning technology.
Artificial Intelligence sector is also known as Artificial Intelligence Solutions, Advanced Artificial Intelligence or Digital Artificial Intelligence.
Includes companies that develop core AI infrastructure, platforms for deploying and managing AI systems, and AI development tools. It also encompasses companies creating core AI-powered applications for consumers, enterprises, and a wide range of industry sectors. Companies are included only if AI is central to their products or services, rather than serving as a secondary feature. Exclude those companies whose primary business domain or revenue generation is not fundamentally dependent on AI. It also excludes businesses where AI functions merely as one of several features or components within a broader product or service. Additionally, companies that primarily provide AI services, consulting, or AI-enabled solutions built upon third-party or non-proprietary technologies, rather than developing native AI systems in-house, are not considered AI-native.
Top Artificial Intelligence Companies in United States
There are 16,426 Artificial Intelligence startups in United States which include OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Nvidia, Palantir, Anthropic. Out of these, 4,658 startups are funded, with 1,980 having secured Series A+ funding, and 205 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 1,560 Artificial Intelligence startups in United States. Over the past 10 years, an average of 1,266 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Stanford University, University of California (Berkeley) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Here is the list of top Artificial Intelligence startups in United States
1. OpenAI
Artificial intelligence research and development platform offering advanced language models. It enables businesses and individuals to build and integrate AI capabilities into their applications and services. It is a technology company specializing in the development of artificial intelligence models, including the popular ChatGPT, which enables users to interact with AI-powered conversational interfaces. The company's research focuses on achieving artificial general intelligence, a system that can solve complex human-level problems, while prioritizing safety and benefits. It provides its AI models through an API platform, enabling developers to integrate AI capabilities into their applications.
Key facts about OpenAI
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: San Francisco (United States)
- Stage: Series F
- Total Funding till date: $180B
- Investors: Microsoft, SoftBank Group and 101 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series F, Apr 22, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 89/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 192 Competitors
2. ElevenLabs
AI platform for speech, voice cloning, music, and AI agents. It provides tools for creating realistic speech, converting text to natural-sounding audio, cloning voices, generating music and sound effects, and building conversational AI agents. It serves developers, enterprises, and creators through APIs and integrated products designed for applications such as content production, customer support automation, media localization, and interactive AI experiences.
Key facts about ElevenLabs
- Founded Year: 2022
- Location: New York City (United States)
- Stage: Series D
- Total Funding till date: $822M
- Investors: Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital and 54 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series D, Jun 17, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 86/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 56 Competitors
3. Nvidia
Developer of hardware and software solutions for artificial intelligence computing. The company provides platforms for cloud services, data centers, embedded systems, and workstations. It offers graphics cards, networking products, and software tools. The business delivers solutions for industries including automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
Key facts about Nvidia
- Founded Year: 1993
- Location: Santa Clara (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $5M
- Investors: Europa, AVIC Trust and 39 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), May 26, 2023, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 85/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 512 Competitors
4. Palantir
Platform that provides data analysis and management solutions. It is a software company that specializes in big data analytics and provides software platforms for analyzing and integrating large amounts of data. Its software powers real-time, AI-driven decisions in critical government and commercial enterprise, from the factory floors to the front lines.
Key facts about Palantir
- Founded Year: 2003
- Location: Denver (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $2.46B
- Investors: Founders Fund, Sompo Holdings and 171 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Aug 31, 2023, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 84/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 3,217 Competitors
5. Anthropic
Provider of AI safety and research company. It is an AI research and safety company offering AI models and chatbots. Its chatbot can be used for multiple industries including customer support, legal support, coaching, searching data, back-office automation, and sales.
Key facts about Anthropic
- Founded Year: 2021
- Location: San Francisco (United States)
- Stage: Series H
- Total Funding till date: $132B
- Investors: Google, GIC and 133 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series H, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 84/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 192 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
1,560 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Artificial Intelligence sector in United States. 2,697 Artificial Intelligence startups in United States were founded in 2025 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 1,560 |
2025 | 2,697 |
2024 | 2,311 |
2023 | 1,985 |
2022 | 1,010 |
2021 | 767 |
2020 | 713 |
2019 | 599 |
2018 | 504 |
2017 | 515 |
Stage-wise distribution of Artificial Intelligence sector companies in United States
Out of the total 16,426 Artificial Intelligence companies in United States, 4,658 have secured funding. Among them, 1,980 have reached Series A or higher, and 1,227 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 16,426
Funded - 4,658
Series A+ - 1,980
Series B+ - 1,227
Series C+ - 876
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 16,426 |
Funded | 4,658 |
Series A+ | 1,980 |
Series B+ | 1,227 |
Series C+ | 876 |
Let us walk you through our Sectors and other offerings
Designed with precision for VCs, PE, IBs, Incubators, M&A, Innovation more
Designed with precision for VCs, PE, IBs, Incubators, M&A, Innovation more
Funding Trends in the Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
Total funding year-on-year in the Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
The Artificial Intelligence sector in United States saw a total funding of more than $703B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $346B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $346B |
2025 | $159B |
2024 | $73.8B |
2023 | $31.8B |
2022 | $20.5B |
2021 | $31.2B |
2020 | $15.4B |
2019 | $11.4B |
2018 | $9.96B |
2017 | $3.56B |
Recent Funding Rounds in Artificial Intelligence in United States
In the year 2026, till October 2026, Artificial Intelligence companies in United States have raised $332B in equity funding across 1.03K rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till October 2025), Artificial Intelligence companies in United States had raised $125B across 1.14K rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 165.1% rise in funding in Artificial Intelligence companies in United States as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Artificial Intelligence companies in United States:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | 3949 | Oct 30, 2026 | and 2 more | |
Series C | 1693 | Oct 30, 2026 | ||
Series A | 7406 | Oct 29, 2026 | ||
Series A | 2490 | Oct 28, 2026 | and 7 more | |
Series A | 6270 | Oct 27, 2026 |
Top Investors in Artificial Intelligence in United States
Y Combinator is the top investor in Artificial Intelligence companies in United States based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Artificial Intelligence companies in United States:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Mountain View (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) | ||
Menlo Park (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) | ||
Sunnyvale (United States) |
_1584095064231.png?devicePixelRatio=2&height=20&width=20){kind=logo}
M&A activity in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
In the year 2026, till October 2026, 126 acquisitions happened in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States. Last year, in 2025, a total of 103 acquisitions happened in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Oct 28, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Oct 23, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Oct 23, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Oct 14, 2026 | - | |
Business Acquisition | Oct 13, 2026 |
Acquisition trends in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States
Here are the acquisition trends in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 126 |
2025 | 103 |
2024 | 57 |
2023 | 29 |
2022 | 36 |
2021 | 45 |
2020 | 21 |
2019 | 20 |
2018 | 23 |
2017 | 15 |
IPOs in Artificial Intelligence in United States
In the year 2026, till October 2026, 8 IPOs happened in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Artificial Intelligence sector in United States:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Oct 15, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Oct 13, 2026 | Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) | |
May 15, 2026 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSEMKT) | |
May 15, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
May 14, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) |
Colleges which produce the most Artificial Intelligence companies in United States
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Artificial Intelligence in United States
Most number of Artificial Intelligence startups in United States have been founded by alumni from Stanford University, University of California (Berkeley) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Stanford University | 552 |
University of California (Berkeley) | 330 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 309 |
Harvard University | 275 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 212 |
University of California (Los Angeles) | 168 |
Cornell University | 155 |
University of Pennsylvania | 136 |
Columbia University | 135 |
Harvard Business School | 131 |
Total funding in Artificial Intelligence companies founded by alumni from top colleges in United States
In the last 10 years, Harvard University graduates' Artificial Intelligence companies in United States have raised the most funding among top colleges. Stanford University alumni are second, and University of Toronto alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Harvard University | $399B |
Stanford University | $364B |
University of Toronto | $251B |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $241B |
Carnegie Mellon University | $197B |
New York University | $189B |
Columbia University | $155B |
Stanford Business School | $140B |
Princeton University | $138B |
University of California (Berkeley) | $18.8B |
Top News in Artificial Intelligence in United States
•
Serval Secures $150M Funding at $3B Valuation to Expand Automation Agents Beyond ITSiliconAngle•Oct 29, 2026•Serval, Sequoia Capital
•
•
SambaNova and Emergys Partner to Accelerate Enterprise Agentic AI DeploymentBusiness Wire•Oct 29, 2026•Emergys, SambaNova Systems
•
•
Invesco working with Anthropic to connect data with Claude for Financial Advisors (IVZ:NYSE)Seeking Alpha•Oct 27, 2026•Invesco, Anthropic
•
•
Meltwater Unveils Year-End Product Release, Moving Teams From Monitoring to ActionFinancial Post•Oct 27, 2026•Meltwater
•
•
•
Meltwater named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for PR and Media Monitoring ToolsFinancial Post•Oct 26, 2026•Meltwater
