Everyone has an opinion about artificial intelligence & AI innovation, because we all get to see it transforming our work and our daily lives in front of us. But how often do we get to look behind the scenes to see what’s actually driving it all?
How much is really known about the thriving ecosystem of AI startups - small but mighty innovators turning big ideas into transformative solutions?
Intel’s AI Startup Index Report 2024, published by Intel® Liftoff for AI Startups, offers an insider’s view into the global startup ecosystem, uncovering key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of generative AI and AI powered innovation.
Featured Startups
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Hear From the Startups
“AI for everyone: AI native apps and specialized model deployment will dominate future landscapes...” - Kelvin Perea, kAI
“Open-source enables faster development, is transparent, and creates trust.” - Markus Kett, MicroStream Software
“The Open Source movement is the single biggest driver of AI innovation. It is at risk of over-regulation from bad actors with their own agenda.” - Laura Hohmann, Expanso
“In the next 3-5 years, significant AI trends will likely include the rise of foundation models, widespread adoption of AI in healthcare, and increased focus on ethical AI and regulation.” - Timur Tuspayev, Cerebra AI
“AI systems will focus on continual learning, allowing models to adapt and update in real-time, making them more flexible and efficient.” - Emmanuel Ugwu, MicroFuse Technologies
“The practical utility of customizable models will outpace non-personalized options, creating a new market of utilities and solutions as frameworks mature” - John Cook, Alignment Lab AI
“Generative AI advancements will continue to revolutionize content creation and synthetic data, enabling faster decision-making and real-time analytics at the edge for smarter IoT and autonomous systems.” - Harsh Verma, PeopleSense.AI
The Engine of Transformation: AI Startups
AI startups are the unsung heroes of the moment we are living through. While their innovations are (rightfully) in the limelight, the startups themselves - the brains and brawn behind it all - receive less attention. We believe that’s an oversight that we are in the best possible position to correct, because we’re at ground zero with some of the best and brightest of them all - not only in silicon valley, but around the globe.
This report aims to take their unique challenges and perspectives, and package them in a digestible format for anyone who has a stake in the past, present and future of AI.
Key Trends from the Report
The Intel® Liftoff AI Startup Index Report 2024 highlights several emerging trends and obstacles:
- Healthcare and IT Dominate: Healthcare and IT account for the lion’s share of startups, followed by other popular categories like energy, finance, manufacturing and customer service.
- Go-to-Market Challenges: Interestingly, attracting funding and venture capital didn’t crack the top spot on the list of startup challenges. That went to go-to-market executions. Effective marketing and customer acquisition strategies are critical for scaling and attracting investors - and according to most of the startups we asked, it’s keeping them up at night
- Diverse Technology Adoption: Startups are adventurous when it comes to trying new tools. We found a wide spread of technologies in use, including cloud services like AWS and Microsoft Azure, as well as Intel’s cutting-edge resources like Intel® Tiber™ AI Cloud and OpenVINO™. If it works, startups will adopt it.
Intel® Liftoff: An Accelerator Empowering AI Startups
Intel® Liftoff for Startups is a global virtual accelerator built so support organizations like early-stage AI companies with tailored resources:
- Technical Expertise: Startups receive direct mentorship and training to expedite product development and market entry.
- Technology Access: Cutting-edge computing resources like the Intel® Tiber™ AI Cloud streamline testing, development, and scaling.
- Go-to-Market Support: Strategic guidance in marketing and networking positions startups for competitive success.
In just two years, Intel® Liftoff has supported 160 AI startups and 3,000 developers, enabling breakthroughs such as distributed GPU workloads and LLM-as-a-service.
Insights from a Wide Range of Founders and Community Leaders
The report captures the voices of AI startup founders, offering a rare glimpse into their journeys. The insights we’ve gained highlight both the obstacles and opportunities faced by the next generation of innovators. This survey not only illuminates the challenges but also provides actionable guidance for fostering a more resilient AI startup ecosystem.
Eugenie Wirz, Program Lead at Intel® Liftoff, emphasizes the human aspect of AI innovation: “This report highlights the AI startup ecosystem and the potential unlocked when innovation is given space to grow. Through our collaboration, Intel® Liftoff helps founders transform their visions into solutions that push the boundaries of AI.”
Harmen Van der Linde, Senior Director / Head of Product Management - Intel® Tiber™ AI Cloud states, “At Intel, our goal is to strengthen AI through acceleration. By supporting startups with our AI cloud solution, we provide the computing power and resources they need to scale, innovate, and overcome challenges. Intel® Tiber™ AI Cloud is designed to empower the next wave of AI innovation, ensuring startups have the support to drive transformative change.”
Along with the world-class technical support they receive, participants also get to join one of the most dynamic startup communities in the world, set up specifically to serve the networking and business needs of AI companies.
A Roadmap for the Future
As the AI ecosystem continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the Intel® Liftoff AI Startup Index Report provides a much-needed snapshot of where we are right now. It’s a must-read for:
- Investors seeking data-driven insights to identify high-potential opportunities.
- Policymakers interested in leading strategies to support AI-driven economic growth.
- Researchers who need to understand the dynamics of AI innovation.
- Startups who are open to learning from their peers and adapting their best ideas.
By highlighting the successes and struggles of early-stage AI companies, the report shines a light on their impact, and also sets the stage for future growth. With the right support systems, these startups can continue to drive innovation, redefine industries, and unlock the as yet unknown potential of artificial intelligence.
To dive deeper into these insights and learn more about the Intel® Liftoff program, download the full AI Startup Index Report here.
As a Software Tools Ecosystem Specialist at Intel, I’ve had the privilege of working on the dynamic GenAI initiative. My focus is on driving engagement with the software developer audience. I'm a proud team member of the Intel® Liftoff for Startups and the Developer Engagement, Relations, and Studio team.