The AI 50 Brink List

Forbes introduced the AI50 Brink List, a new initiative spotlighting 20 promising seed and Series A stage AI startups, as the industry has become too vast for a single list. While the AI50 List reflects current leaders, the Brink List offers a glimpse into the future, highlighting up-and-comers. These young companies, averaging 24 months old, aggressively compete for talent and billion-dollar valuations. Examples include Resolve AI, which develops a system for engineers to fix code problems and recently raised $40 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. The rise of "NeoLabs" pushing AI research is notable, with executives from major labs launching ventures like Periodic Labs, focused on scientific discovery. HumansAnd, valued at $4.5 billion, and Advanced Machine Intelligence, co-founded by Meta's former chief AI scientist, are also prominent. AI's impact is particularly evident in healthcare, where startups like Sertuma aim for FDA-approved diagnostic and treatment systems, and Latent Health develops AI agents to expedite drug approvals. The 20 companies on the Brink List have collectively raised over $3.5 billion in early-stage funding. However, a gender imbalance persists, with only three female-led startups featured.