Breakout List

Great startups to join
By@chrisbarber
15 investors picked 92 startups
Aashay SanghviAashay SanghviAlana GoyalAlana GoyalAvichal GargAvichal GargCharlie SonghurstCharlie SonghurstCory LevyCory LevyElad GilElad GilJohn LuttigJohn LuttigKeith RaboisKeith RaboisKonstantine BuhlerKonstantine BuhlerMarc BhargavaMarc BhargavaMike VernalMike VernalRamtin NaimiRamtin NaimiRay TonsingRay TonsingSonya HuangSonya HuangVarun GuptaVarun Gupta

All startups picked

CompanyWhat they makeFoundersHQ
1-10 employees
HoneAutonomous agents that optimize business metricsMoritz StephanCarlo KobeOliver BradyMoritz Stephan, Carlo Kobe, Oliver BradySF
NormalHardware engineering and machining data for training AIAnson YuHudhayfa NazoordeenAnson Yu, Hudhayfa NazoordeenSF
Standard IntelligenceFoundation models that operate computers like humans doGalen MeadDevansh PandeyGalen Mead, Devansh PandeySF
Tacit LabsAutonomous biotech research for drug discoveryNicole FitzgeraldAnne Marie DrosteNicole Fitzgerald, Anne Marie DrosteSF
11-25 employees
American TerawattHigh voltage electrical transmission for datacentersAnton TroynikovRobert ParkerRon BhattacharyayAnton Troynikov, Robert Parker, Ron BhattacharyaySF
ConduitNon-invasive brain computer interface that turns thoughts into textClem von StengelRio PopperClem von Stengel, Rio PopperSF
ConvergentEvals and optimization for production AI agentsOmkar SavantVivek KataraDebnil SurOmkar Savant, Vivek Katara, Debnil SurSF
Core AutomationNew model architectures and algorithms for agentsJerry TworekRohan AnilJerry Tworek, Rohan AnilSF
EngramMemory system that learns company knowledge for AI agentsDan BidermanSabri EyubogluJessy LinDan Biderman, Sabri Eyuboglu, Jessy LinSF
InstinctPersonal AI assistant that operates a computer for youNoah ShinnNoah ShinnSF
KeenableAPI for agents to do web searches and page retrievalAndrey StyskinMatthias PetriAndrey Styskin, Matthias PetriLos AngelesLA
LumarilSoftware that optimizes factory control systems to increase yieldMark ElliotBen DuffieldMark Elliot, Ben DuffieldNYC
Neion BioEngineered chicken eggs that manufacture drugsDimi KellariSam LevinDimi Kellari, Sam LevinNYC
Pangram LabsAI that detects AI-generated text for schools and publishersMax SperoBradley EmiMax Spero, Bradley EmiNYC
QuadrillionAutonomous data experiments for researchers and data scientistsE ChiE ChiNYC
ReStablecoin deposits that back reinsurance poolsKarn SaroyaAnand DhillonCliff WhiteBen AneeshKarn Saroya, Anand Dhillon, Cliff White, Ben AneeshSF
RicursiveAI for designing semiconductorsAnna GoldieAzalia MirhoseiniAnna Goldie, Azalia MirhoseiniPalo Alto
Sail ResearchInference API and sandbox infrastructure for long-running AI agentsNeil MovvaSamir MenonNeil Movva, Samir MenonSF
TrajectoryPost-training tool that continually fine-tunes models based on usageRonak MaldeMichael ElabdArjun KaranamRonak Malde, Michael Elabd, Arjun KaranamSF
Watney RoboticsRobots that maintain datacentersSean CheongRyan GannonSean Cheong, Ryan GannonSF
26-50 employees
General MatterUS uranium enrichment facilities for nuclear reactorsScott NolanLee RobinsonScott Nolan, Lee RobinsonLos AngelesLA
InfisicalOpen source secrets manager for developers and agentsVlad MatsiiakoMaidul IslamTony DangVlad Matsiiako, Maidul Islam, Tony DangSF
Long LakeAcquires and holds service businesses and optimizes them with AIAlexander TaubmanRasmus WissmannVarun ShenoyAlexander Taubman, Rasmus Wissmann, Varun ShenoyNYC
Luzern RiskSoftware for businesses to set up their own captive insurance carriersGabriel WeissJonathan YorkRachel JenkinsSam EspinosaGabriel Weiss, Jonathan York, Rachel Jenkins, Sam EspinosaNYC
MithrilNeocloud for spot and reserved GPUsJared Quincy DavisJared Quincy DavisPalo Alto
RevelSoftware for testing and running aerospace and defense hardwareScott MortonScott MortonLos AngelesLA
SpecterSecurity cameras that detect intruders and hazards at industrial facilitiesXerxes LibschXerxes LibschSF
TurbopufferVector and full text search index built on object storageSimon EskildsenJustine LiSimon Eskildsen, Justine LiOttawa, CanadaOttawa
51-100 employees
AaruSimulations of people for consumer researchCameron FinkNed KohJohn KesslerCameron Fink, Ned Koh, John KesslerNYC
Beacon SoftwareHolding company that buys small vertical software companiesNilam GanenthiranDivyahans GuptaNilam Ganenthiran, Divyahans GuptaToronto, CanadaTorontoSF
Fab2Semiconductor manufacturing tools and microfabs that produce chipsSam ZeloofJim KellerSam Zeloof, Jim KellerAustin
falAPI for image and video modelsBurkay GurGorkem YurtsevenBurkay Gur, Gorkem YurtsevenSF
Listen LabsAI interviewer that conducts customer and user researchAlfred WahlforssFlorian JuengermannAlfred Wahlforss, Florian JuengermannSFNYC
MedraRobots that run wet lab biology experimentsMichelle LeeMichelle LeeSF
PalletAgents that run freight, warehousing and logistics for supply chainsSushanth RamanSushanth RamanSF
Periodic LabsAutonomous labs that run physics and chemistry experimentsLiam FedusEkin Dogus CubukLiam Fedus, Ekin Dogus CubukMenlo Park, CAMenlo Park
SF ComputeGPU neocloud that lets you sell back unused computeEvan ConradEric ParkEthan AndersonEric MeneesAlex GajewskiEvan Conrad, Eric Park, Ethan Anderson, Eric Menees, Alex GajewskiSF
SimileSimulated consumer research panels for enterprisesJoon Sung ParkMichael BernsteinPercy LiangLainie YallenJoon Sung Park, Michael Bernstein, Percy Liang, Lainie YallenSFNYC
TwentyOffensive cyber warfare software for the US militaryJoe LinLeo OlsonSkyler OnkenPete SorrentinoJoe Lin, Leo Olson, Skyler Onken, Pete SorrentinoArlington, VAArlington
XDOFTeleoperation rigs and training datasets for robotics labsPhilipp WuYide (Fred) ShentuNemo JinPhilipp Wu, Yide (Fred) Shentu, Nemo JinSan Mateo, CASan Mateo
101-250 employees
AmcaHydraulic and electrical parts for aircraftJai MalikEli GiovanettiJai Malik, Eli GiovanettiEl Segundo
Antares NuclearNuclear microreactors for military basesJordan BrambleJulia DeWahlJordan Bramble, Julia DeWahlTorrance, CATorrance
AvenCredit cards backed by home equitySadi KhanMurtada ShahCollin WikmanAlmaz NanjappaJeremy SolomonSadi Khan, Murtada Shah, Collin Wikman, Almaz Nanjappa, Jeremy SolomonCampbell, CACampbell
BitwiseCrypto index funds and ETFs for institutionsHunter HorsleyHong KimHunter Horsley, Hong KimSF
Boom SupersonicSupersonic airliners and gas turbinesBlake SchollJoshua KrallJoe WildingBlake Scholl, Joshua Krall, Joe WildingDenver
Brain Co.AI for governments, insurance and healthcare firmsDan AshtonEric WuElad GilJared KushnerDan Ashton, Eric Wu, Elad Gil, Jared KushnerSF
BraintrustEvals, logging and observability for AI softwareAnkur GoyalAnkur GoyalSF
CastelionHypersonic strike missile for military useBryon HargisSean PittAndrew KreitzBryon Hargis, Sean Pitt, Andrew KreitzTorrance, CATorrance
EnterLegal software that writes litigation defenses for Brazilian corporationsMateus Costa-RibeiroHenrique VazMike Mac-VicarMateus Costa-Ribeiro, Henrique Vaz, Mike Mac-VicarSão Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo
ExaAPI that does web searches for AI agentsWill BrykJeff WangWill Bryk, Jeff WangSF
FactoryAutonomous coding agents that write software for enterprisesMatan GrinbergEno ReyesMatan Grinberg, Eno ReyesSF
FractileChips that run inference for AI modelsWalter GoodwinWalter GoodwinLondonBristol
HiggsfieldAI video tools for marketers and filmmakersAlex MashrabovYerzat DulatMahi De SilvaAlex Mashrabov, Yerzat Dulat, Mahi De SilvaSFKazakhstan
ModalServerless compute for inference, training and sandboxesErik BernhardssonAkshat BubnaErik Bernhardsson, Akshat BubnaNYC
NerosAttack and interceptor drones for Western militariesSoren Monroe-AndersonOlaf HichwaSoren Monroe-Anderson, Olaf HichwaTorrance, CATorrance
NominalSoftware that monitors telemetry and tests for hardware engineeringCameron McCordBryce StraussJason HochCameron McCord, Bryce Strauss, Jason HochLos AngelesLANYC
OLIXChips for running AI model inferenceJames DacombeJames DacombeLondonAustin
OpenEvidenceSoftware that answers clinical questions for doctorsDaniel NadlerZachary ZieglerDaniel Nadler, Zachary ZieglerMiami, FLMiamiSF
Physical IntelligenceFoundation models for controlling any robotKarol HausmanSergey LevineChelsea FinnAdnan EsmailBrian IchterQuan VuongLachy GroomKarol Hausman, Sergey Levine, Chelsea Finn, Adnan Esmail, Brian Ichter, Quan Vuong, Lachy GroomSF
RogoAI analyst for investment banks and financial institutionsGabriel StengelJohn WillettTumas RackaitisGabriel Stengel, John Willett, Tumas RackaitisNYCLondon
RoxSales agents that find buyers and manage enterprise sales pipelinesIshan MukherjeeShriram SridharanDiogo RibeiroChristopher RéAvanika NarayanIshan Mukherjee, Shriram Sridharan, Diogo Ribeiro, Christopher Ré, Avanika NarayanSF
ServalAgents that resolve IT help desk ticketsJake StauchAlex McLeodJake Stauch, Alex McLeodSF
SocketPackage management security tool that blocks malicious packagesFeross AboukhadijehFeross AboukhadijehSF
State AffairsTracks state legislation for enterprisesEvan BurnsJamie Roberts SeltzerEvan Burns, Jamie Roberts SeltzerWashington, DCDC
Valar AtomicsGas nuclear reactors for datacenters and hydrogen fuelIsaiah TaylorIsaiah TaylorEl SegundoOrangeville
VapiDeveloper API for building voice agentsJordan DearsleyNikhil GuptaJordan Dearsley, Nikhil GuptaSF
Verse MedicalMedical equipment ordering and insurance checks for cliniciansDhaivat PandyaDhaivat PandyaNYC
WorkOSAPIs for adding enterprise SSO and directory sync to appsMichael GrinichMichael GrinichSF
XBOWAutonomous penetration testing for softwareOege de MoorOege de MoorSeattle
250+ employees
ArcanaPortfolio analysis tool that analyzes risk for hedge fundsRichard Falk-WallaceSiva SooriyanRichard Falk-Wallace, Siva SooriyanNYCBangalore, Coimbatore
BaseHome batteries and electricityZach DellJustin LopasZach Dell, Justin LopasAustin
BasetenInference cloud for open and custom modelsTuhin SrivastavaAmir HaghighatPhilip HowesPankaj GuptaTuhin Srivastava, Amir Haghighat, Philip Howes, Pankaj GuptaSF
Cambridge AerospaceInterceptor missiles that destroy drone swarmsSteven BarrettChris SylvanJunaid HussainSteven Barrett, Chris Sylvan, Junaid HussainCambridge, UKCambridge
CognitionAutonomous software engineer that writes code for teamsScott WuSteven HaoWalden YanScott Wu, Steven Hao, Walden YanSF
ElevenLabsVoice models and agents that generate audioMati StaniszewskiPiotr DabkowskiMati Staniszewski, Piotr DabkowskiNYC
EtchedChips that run inference for frontier modelsGavin UbertiRobert WachenChris ZhuGavin Uberti, Robert Wachen, Chris ZhuSan Jose
Fireworks AIInference cloud for open and custom modelsLin QiaoDmytro DzhulgakovPawel GarbackiJames ReedChenyu ZhaoDmytro IvchenkoLin Qiao, Dmytro Dzhulgakov, Pawel Garbacki, James Reed, Chenyu Zhao, Dmytro IvchenkoSan Mateo, CASan Mateo
FluidstackBuilds and runs AI datacentersGary WuCesar MaklaryJamie CoxPeter FrancisGary Wu, Cesar Maklary, Jamie Cox, Peter FrancisAustinSF, NYC
HandshakeNetwork of people that produces AI training dataGarrett LordBen ChristensenScott RingwelskiGarrett Lord, Ben Christensen, Scott RingwelskiSF
HarveyLegal software that does research, drafting and contract reviewWinston WeinbergGabriel PereyraWinston Weinberg, Gabriel PereyraSFNYC
KalshiMarket for betting on sports, news and politicsTarek MansourLuana Lopes LaraTarek Mansour, Luana Lopes LaraNYC
KrakenRegulated crypto, stocks and futures exchangeJesse PowellThanh LuuMichael GronagerJesse Powell, Thanh Luu, Michael GronagerRemote
LovableAI that builds web appsAnton OsikaFabian HedinAnton Osika, Fabian HedinStockholm
Mach IndustriesDrones, munitions and interceptors for the US militaryEthan ThorntonEthan ThorntonHuntington Beach, CAHuntington Beach
MercorExpert network for training AI modelsBrendan FoodyAdarsh HiremathSurya MidhaBrendan Foody, Adarsh Hiremath, Surya MidhaSF
OwnerRestaurant software for taking orders and marketingAdam GuildDean BloembergenAdam Guild, Dean BloembergenSFToronto
RadiantNuclear microreactor to replace diesel generatorsDoug BernauerBob UrbergerDoug Bernauer, Bob UrbergerEl Segundo
RampCorporate cards for businessesEric GlymanKarim AtiyehGene LeeEric Glyman, Karim Atiyeh, Gene LeeNYC
SaronicAutonomous surface vessels for the US NavyDino MavrookasRob LehmanVibhav AltekarDoug LambertDino Mavrookas, Rob Lehman, Vibhav Altekar, Doug LambertAustin
Stoke SpaceReusable rockets for satellite launchesAndy LapsaTom FeldmanAndy Lapsa, Tom FeldmanKent, WAKent
VerkadaCommercial security cameras, alarms and access control for enterprisesFilip KaliszanJames RenBenjamin BercovitzHans RobertsonFilip Kaliszan, James Ren, Benjamin Bercovitz, Hans RobertsonSan Mateo
WhopStorefront and payments for selling information productsSteven SchwartzCameron ZoubJack SharkeySteven Schwartz, Cameron Zoub, Jack SharkeyNYCSF

Methodology

I asked people to help me identify investors with a great view on which startups are breaking out. Then I asked people for help with the breakout definition, and I ended up defining breakout startups as the most elite startups an investor would tell an ambitious relative to join, the ones they would join themselves if they had to join a company, and the ones they would pick if they had to put 10% of their net worth into one company at today's price. Then I asked the recommended investors for three to six startups breaking out inside their portfolio, and three to six startups breaking out outside their portfolio. One investor mentioned Anthropic, OpenAI and Anduril and said they're too obvious to pick. They're also, of course, very large. Two investors picked OpenRouter before it was acquired. I didn't include it because of the acquisition.

Why join a breakout startup

"If you want that nice house and bigger impact, get upside in a younger hyper growth company with about 10 to 400 people that has the best people and is changing a real industry."

Joe Lonsdaleco-founder of Palantir and 8VC

"Falling into the right network early on usually means a career full of interesting opportunities."

Elad Gilinvestor

"Your choice of company trumps everything else. It's more important than your job title, your pay or your responsibilities."

Andy Rachleffco-founder of Benchmark and Wealthfront

"If you choose well, you can also walk away with ten million dollars by taking this path. And if you choose really well, and you do find that next Facebook or Google, while it's still not yet a unicorn, you can do extremely well."

Dustin Moskovitzco-founder of Facebook and Asana

"Go to the company where all the action is happening. In a rapidly changing field like technology, the best place to get experience when you're starting out is in younger, high-growth companies."

Marc Andreessenco-founder of Netscape and Andreessen Horowitz

"If you join a company, my general advice is to join a company on a breakout trajectory."

Sam Altmanco-founder and CEO of OpenAI
Picked as of September 2026. Disclosure: I'm a small investor in American Terawatt, Convergent, Factory, Physical Intelligence, SF Compute, Standard Intelligence and Trajectory.Comments or questions: DM @chrisbarber