Charles Esther
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how startups grow and scale.
AI-powered tools allow companies to operate with smaller teams while achieving rapid growth and innovation.
This has paved the way for billion-dollar startups with remarkably lean workforces.
The Rise of Lean AI Startups
In the past, companies typically expanded their teams as they scaled.
Now, AI allows startups to keep operations tight while building high-value products.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted that “10-person companies with billion-dollar valuations” would become common.
He even mentioned a tech CEO group betting on when the first one-person billion-dollar company would emerge.
This trend mirrors historical exceptions like Instagram, which had only 13 employees when acquired by Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion.
AI is now fueling a new wave of unicorns with minimal staff but massive valuations.
Safe Superintelligence
Valuation: $32 billion
Employee Count: 20
Safe Superintelligence was founded in 2023 by Ilya Sutskever, a cofounder and former chief scientist at OpenAI.
He was joined by Daniel Gross, formerly of Apple AI, and Daniel Levy, formerly of OpenAI.
The company focuses on building AI systems that surpass human intelligence while being aligned with human values.
Despite keeping a low profile on funding, reports suggest it has raised $3 billion to date.
0G Labs
Valuation: $2 billion
Employee Count: 40
0G Labs, also known as Zero Gravity Labs, is developing a decentralized AI operating system.
This platform helps AI applications integrate with blockchain networks.
The startup has secured about $350 million in funding, including a $40 million seed round.
Its valuation cap soared as high as $2 billion, pending the launch of its 0G token.
Magic
Valuation: $1.58 billion
Employee Count: 20
Magic is building AI models designed to understand and write code at scale.
These models help developers read, review, and improve large codebases more efficiently.
Magic has raised $465 million since its founding in 2022, including $320 million from top investors like Eric Schmidt, Sequoia Capital, and CapitalG.
Sakana AI
Valuation: $1.5 billion
Employee Count: 28
Sakana AI, based in Tokyo, was launched in 2023 by former Google researchers.
The company draws inspiration from natural phenomena like evolution and collective behavior.
Its AI combines smaller models to handle complex tasks.
To date, it has raised around $244 million, including a $214 million Series A round.
Skild AI
Valuation: $1.5 billion
Employee Count: 25
Skild AI was founded in 2023 with a focus on robotics.
The startup is developing models that allow robots to understand and interact with real-world environments.
It raised $300 million in a Series A round led by top firms including SoftBank and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Black Forest Labs
Valuation: $1.28 billion
Employee Count: 24
Black Forest Labs is a German startup that specializes in AI-powered image generation.
It turns text prompts into realistic visuals and supports platforms like Elon Musk’s Grok.
Backed by Andreessen Horowitz, the company emerged from stealth in 2024.
Accutar Biotech
Valuation: $1.03 billion
Employee Count: 40
Accutar Biotech uses AI to accelerate drug discovery and development.
Founded in 2015, it is the most established startup on this list.
It has raised over $100 million in funding, with its last round announced in 2021.
Andalusia Labs
Valuation: $1 billion
Employee Count: 22
Based in Abu Dhabi, Andalusia Labs builds AI infrastructure to secure digital assets.
Its tools help developers prevent hacks and manage financial risks in crypto environments.
The company raised $48 million in its Series A round in December 2023.
OpenEvidence
Valuation: $1 billion
Employee Count: 22
OpenEvidence was launched through the Mayo Clinic’s healthtech accelerator.
Its AI copilot helps healthcare professionals quickly find and interpret the latest clinical research.
The startup raised $127 million, including a $75 million round led by Sequoia Capital.
World Labs
Valuation: $1 billion
Employee Count: 20
World Labs creates AI systems that can perceive, generate, and interact in 3D environments.
Its CEO is Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in computer vision and creator of ImageNet.
The company came out of stealth in 2023 with $230 million in funding from major firms like Andreessen Horowitz and NEA.
