List of 17 AI Companies in the US that Raised $100 Million in Funding in Early 2026

Artificial intelligence funding in the United States has started 2026 at remarkable speed. Within just the first weeks of the year, 17 US based AI companies secured funding rounds of $100 million or more. 

These are not modest seed raises. They are large, high conviction investments that signal continued institutional confidence in AI infrastructure, research, enterprise tools, robotics, and model development. 

The scale of capital flowing into these companies suggests that investors believe the next phase of AI growth is already underway.

Key Takeaways

• Seventeen US AI companies raised $100 million or more within the first weeks of 2026
• Funding spans research labs, infrastructure platforms, robotics, medical AI, and voice AI
• Valuations remain elevated, reflecting long term confidence in AI demand

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Which AI Companies Secured $100 Million or More?

The funding list spans both established AI leaders and newer research labs. In February 2026 alone, several companies closed significant rounds. 

Simile raised $100 million in a Series A led by Index Ventures. Anthropic announced a $30 billion Series G that valued the firm at $380 billion. Runway secured $315 million in a Series E, pushing its valuation above $5 billion.

Goodfire raised $150 million in a Series B, while Fundamental announced a $255 million Series A. ElevenLabs, a voice AI specialist, closed a $500 million Series D, reaching an $11 billion valuation.

January saw similar momentum. PaleBlueDot AI raised $150 million in a Series B. Decagon secured $250 million in a Series D. 

Flapping Airplanes, an AI research lab, closed a $180 million seed round, a notable figure for such an early stage. Baseten raised $300 million, while Inferact secured $150 million shortly after launch.

OpenEvidence, focused on medical AI, raised $250 million. Humans and its AI lab secured $480 million in seed funding. SkildAI, which develops AI for robotics, raised $1.4 billion in a Series C. 

Deepgram secured $130 million. Arena raised $150 million. Elon Musk’s xAI opened the year with a $20 billion Series E.

Together, these 17 companies represent diverse segments of the AI stack, from foundational model research to application layer tools.

Read also: OpenAI IPO Launching in Late 2026

What Do These Mega Rounds Tell Us About the Market?

Funding of this magnitude signals several structural shifts. First, institutional investors remain convinced that AI demand will persist beyond short term hype cycles. 

Enterprise integration, infrastructure scaling, robotics automation, and medical applications all require sustained capital.

Second, valuations suggest long term revenue expectations. When firms such as Anthropic or ElevenLabs raise at multi billion dollar levels, investors are pricing in significant market share expansion and commercial adoption.

Third, the diversity of funding recipients shows that AI development is no longer limited to model training alone. Infrastructure platforms like Baseten, inference specialists like Inferact, robotics focused SkildAI, and medical chatbot OpenEvidence all reflect sector breadth.

However, these large rounds also raise questions about capital efficiency. Early stage firms raising hundreds of millions will face pressure to deliver measurable revenue growth. Market discipline tends to follow periods of aggressive capital deployment.

This funding wave may also influence public markets. When private AI valuations climb, related publicly traded equities and AI linked crypto assets often experience correlated interest. The connection is indirect, but investor psychology plays a role.

Read also: 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks with the Potential to Rise

How Can Investors Position Themselves Around AI Trends?

For investors seeking exposure to AI themes, monitoring both venture capital signals and public market liquidity is essential. You can trade AI related tokens and major cryptocurrencies on Bitrue, which offers spot and futures markets with transparent order books and real time pricing.

1. Create an account on Bitrue and complete identity verification.
2. Deposit USDT or another supported asset into your wallet.
3. Navigate to the trading section and search for AI related tokens or major market pairs.
4. Choose a market order for immediate execution or a limit order to define your preferred entry price.
5. Monitor positions and risk carefully using available charting tools.

Large venture rounds often shift sentiment across technology markets. By staying informed and using regulated platforms, investors can respond more effectively to changing capital flows.

Read also: Best AI Stocks 2025: Top Artificial Intelligence Companies

Conclusion

The fact that 17 US AI companies raised over $100 million in early 2026 reflects sustained confidence in artificial intelligence development. Funding spans research, robotics, enterprise tools, and medical systems. 

While high valuations carry execution risk, capital allocation at this scale indicates that AI remains central to technological investment strategy. 

Investors should observe how private funding trends translate into public market activity. For those navigating crypto and AI linked assets, Bitrue provides a structured and accessible environment to trade efficiently and manage exposure responsibly.

FAQ

How many US AI companies raised over $100 million in early 2026?

Seventeen US based AI companies secured funding rounds of $100 million or more within the first weeks of 2026.

Which company raised the largest round?

Anthropic announced a $30 billion Series G, while SkildAI raised $1.4 billion and xAI secured $20 billion.

Are these companies all research labs?

No. They include infrastructure platforms, robotics firms, medical AI developers, voice AI specialists, and model evaluation companies.

Does large funding guarantee success?

No. Large funding provides runway, but revenue growth, product adoption, and operational efficiency ultimately determine long term success.

Why does venture funding matter to crypto investors?

Private AI funding can influence broader technology sentiment, which may impact AI related tokens and digital asset market flows.

Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.