Almost 90 new unicorns have been minted so far this year — here they are
TechCrunch tracks down VC-backed startups that became unicorns in 2026, focusing on AI-related companies and a few from other industries.
Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)

TechCrunch lists the latest unicorn startups of 2026, with most being AI-focused but also including healthcare, crypto, and defense companies.
TechCrunch found out about new companies worth over $1 billion that are doing cool things. Most of these new big companies use fancy computer stuff called AI to help them.
Analysis
{"# A $60B Vote of Confidence":["The list underscores the growing interest in AI startups, with several companies achieving unicorn status this year. This reflects a significant shift towards investing in AI technology.","However, it also reveals that other sectors like healthcare and defense are not far behind, indicating a broadening acceptance of these technologies."],"# Why Cursor?":["The inclusion of companies from various industries suggests that investors see potential in diverse applications of AI. This diversity could lead to more innovative solutions.","For instance, the cybersecurity startup Socket focuses on protecting against supply chain attacks, highlighting the importance of such technology in safeguarding critical systems."],"# The Road Ahead":["As these companies continue to grow and innovate, they may pave the way for further advancements in their respective fields. Investors are betting that these startups will become major players in their industries.","The presence of a cardiovascular medical device company like Advanced Manufacturing Company of America shows how AI is being integrated into traditional sectors, potentially revolutionizing them."]}
Key points
- Almost 90 new startups have become worth over $1 billion this year
- Most are in the AI industry, but there are also companies working on healthcare and defense
- These companies could change how we do things in their fields
These startups could lead to many new and exciting products or services, making life easier for people and businesses.



