Crustdata (YC F24)’s Post

1 in 3 of the fastest growing startups in August are AI driven startups. At Crustdata we track company and people data - including headcount growth of companies - on a real-time basis. We decided to find out the fastest growing startups this month using our month-over-month growth dataset and here’s what we found: 𝟭. 𝗦𝘄𝘀𝗵: Social Networking App: 104.5% Founders: Weilyn Chong, Alexandra Debow 𝟮. 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁: Event Management Software: 87% Founder: David Roselle 𝟯. 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲: Biotechnology: 70.4% Founders: François PAILLIER, JACKELINE P. 𝟰 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹: Fintech: 65.6% Founders: Srinivas Sarkar, Kushagra Manglik 𝟱. 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀: Alcoholic Beverage: 64.7% Founder: Kylie Jenner 𝟲. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗙𝗶: Education Financing: 56.3% Founder: Aleena Nadeem 𝟳. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱: Healthcare Financing: 54% Founders: Arpit Jangir, Shrey Jain 𝟴. 𝗞𝗲𝘆: Professional Networking Platform: 49.69% Founder: Kushagra Shrivastava, Christopher Fong 𝟵. 𝗭𝗯𝘆𝘁𝗲: Blockchain: 49.5% Founders: Krish Kupathil, Nitin Kumar, Saurabh Radhakrishnan 𝟭𝟬. 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗜: E-commerce: 49.5% Founder: Kumar N Senthil, Damien BALSAN 𝟭𝟭.𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗜: AI Software Development: 49.4% Founders: Ayush Garg, Rohit Agarwal. 𝟭𝟮. 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗜: Data Analytics: 49.4% Founders: Felix Beissel, Maximilian Hahnenkamp 𝟭𝟯. 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽: Creator Management: 45.8% Founders: Jesse Bouman, Nesha Aurea Hanzdima 𝟭𝟰. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿: Business Acquisitions: 44% Founders: Fouad Raji, Saad Benryane 𝟭𝟱. 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲: Online Gambling: 44% Founders: Noah Dummett, Darcy S. 𝟭𝟲. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲: Healthcare Technology: 43.9% Founders: Juan Sebastián Suárez Valencia, Fadi Haddad 𝟭𝟳. 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗙𝗶𝗻: Sustainable Finance: 42.5% Founders: Pramod Marar, Terniza Berry, Aditya Singh 𝟭𝟴. 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻: Business Process Automation: 42.3% Founder: Hugo Mercier 𝟭𝟵. 𝗖𝗯𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗼: Carbon Compliance Software: 42.3% Founders: Daniel Sharp, Gabriel Rozenberg 𝟮𝟬. 𝗭𝗲𝘂𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Blockchain: 42.3% Founder: Jim Chiu If you want to see the full data on these companies, check out the link in the comments 👇

🚨Klarna’s massive shift toward in-house AI solutions is a game changer for B2B SaaS startups! By cutting 50% of its workforce and ending partnerships with Salesforce and Workday, Klarna is sending a strong signal, Enterprises are now prioritizing AI-driven internal solutions to streamline operations and improve margin efficiency. This move raises critical questions for SaaS founders and VCs alike: 1️⃣ Is it time to rethink your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)? As more enterprises like Klarna build their own AI tools, B2B SaaS startups must reconsider their target market. Are enterprise clients still looking for your solutions, or are they moving toward in-house development? It might be time to pivot and focus on more niche, high?impact offerings that enterprises can’t easily replicate. 2️⃣ Is the “long tail” of smaller businesses the real opportunity now? If large enterprises are bringing AI in-house, SaaS startups may find greater opportunities among smaller, less tech savvy companies that lack the resources to build AI solutions themselves. These businesses could represent an untapped market where external SaaS solutions remain crucial. 3️⃣ Build vs. Buy dilemma how do you stand out? With enterprises evaluating whether to build or buy AI solutions, B2B SaaS startups need to offer more than just a product they need to offer unique value that can’t be easily duplicated. This shift will force startups to reconsider their Go-to-Market strategies, focus on customer lifetime value (LTV), and refine their pricing models. 🔎The big picture: Klarna’s move highlights a broader trend: companies are racing to use in-house AI to boost efficiency and reduce costs. For startups, this is a wake-up call to align their strategies with the changing needs of their target markets. For VCs, it’s an opportunity to back startups that understand this shift and offer solutions that remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. As SaaS founders or investors, how are you preparing for this change? 💡 #B2BSaaS #AI #VentureCapital #TechStrategy #Startups #FutureOfWork #Fintech #SaaS #Klarna

📢 Attention Startups: AI Just Got a Whole Lot Cooler! 📢 Our latest blog post reveals how multi-agent systems can turn your startup into an efficiency powerhouse. Here’s why you’ll love it: 🔹 Supercharged Efficiency: Think of multi-agent systems as your startup’s secret sauce. 🔹 Budget-Friendly: Cut AI costs by 90% – your CFO will thank you. 🔹 Smart Decisions on Demand: Like having a crystal ball for business insights. 🔹 Flexibility: Changes and adapts just as quickly as your needs evolve. 🔹 Seamless Integration: Slots into your tech stack like it’s always belonged. Get inspired by real-world examples from logistics, marketing, fintech, e-commerce, and more. Read the full article now! https://lnkd.in/ddJNc-8Z #AI #Startups #TechTrends #Efficiency #CostSavings #IntegrailAI #MultiAgents #AIAgents

Who are the most promising B2B SaaS Scale ups in 2024? According to Sifted, these ones will someday join the ranks of the $1bn-plus unicorns 🚀 Here are some highlights: 🏆 Generative AI startup V7 tops the ranking; Parloa is #2 and Tines is #3. 🏦 London fintech Allica Bank is the most-funded (€400m) company 💻 Enterprise software is the most dominant sector (46 companies), followed by fintech (25) and deeptech (11) 💰 18 companies in the top 100 have raised so far in 2024 And some observations: 💸 Less capital has been invested, but efficiency has been increasing ↗ 🌟 Startups show more potential earlier compared to previous years 📈 💡 Enterprise software presence is declining compared to previous reports while climate tech being on the rise 🌎 See the list of the top 100 here: https://lnkd.in/e4rAFU6j or download the full Sifted report sponsored by Sapphire Ventures here: https://lnkd.in/eG-ixGzq #b2bsaas #startupreport #scaling

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 is essential for 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 to navigate uncertainty and foster 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡. 📈 ➡️ Leveraging data not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances customer satisfaction. ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/e23hyK2r Penfriend #growth #data #startups #startup #customers #customersatisfaction #leveragedata #efficiency #leveragingdata #customer #operationalefficiency #leverage

🗽New York: A city renowned for its vibrant startup ecosystem. Let's put the spotlight on a select group of New York-based software startups that are currently making waves and revolutionizing the American market. https://lnkd.in/deBJzkrJ In this feature, take a closer look at the unique solutions and innovative leaders who are carving new paths in various industries: Lavender 💜, an AI email assistant simplifying corporate communication, masterminded by 💜 Will Allred and William Ballance. Blip, a state-of-the-art app for seamless payments, helmed by innovative thinkers Michael Bank and Seth Fenster. Array, reshaping financial services through digital products, guided by its founders Martin Toha and Phillip Zedalis. Macro, a top-notch IT enterprise known for its quality SaaS and software solutions. Regal.io, a software development firm specializing in marketing automation and outbound sales, successfully founded by Alex Levin and Rebecca Greene. Taktile, a cutting-edge platform for agile, data-driven business decisions founded by Dr. Maximilian Eber and Maik Taro Wehmeyer. Viam, using machine learning and robotics to transform daily life, led by forward-thinking founder Eliot Horowitz. Black Crow AI, leveraging machine learning for business analytics, pioneered by Damon Tassone and Richard Harris. Warp, a Rust-based coding terminal for streamlined application development, innovated by Zach Lloyd. Trullion, harnessing AI for streamlined accounting and auditing processes, brought to life by Amir Boldo and Isaac Heller. Devron, democratizing machine learning in distributed silos, established by the visionary Kartik Chopra. Stay tuned to discover more about these game-changing startups, their journey and, the unique solutions they deliver! #Startups #NYCStartups #Innovation #TechTrends #SoftwareStartups #TechPioneers #StartupCulture

In a recent blog post, David Cummings wrote about a compelling term: “the big unlock.” https://lnkd.in/ezpH5RSz This term refers to pivotal changes or shifts that open up vast opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. Cummings's reflection on various "big unlocks" that led to the success of ventures like Pardot and Salesloft resonated with me. It mirrored conversations my cofounders and we often have about the significant waves of change that have propelled our own entrepreneurial journeys. 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐤: 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 My cofounders’ journey began with Retek, a company that thrived on the transition from mainframes to client-server architecture, coinciding with the Y2K frenzy. This period marked a significant technological shift, positioning Retek at the forefront of retail solutions. Their commitment and belief in the digital future of retail—a belief that paid off immensely. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐱: 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐒 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 Our next venture, Predictix, capitalized on another transformative wave: the emergence of Cloud Computing and Software as a Service (SaaS). Predictix was at the cutting edge, being the first to introduce predictive (Machine Learning) retail analytics for enterprises on the cloud. This wave was not just a technological shift; it was a paradigm shift in how services were delivered and consumed, fueling Predictix’s success. 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐫𝐚: 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 Nine years ago, we embarked on our latest venture, Cognira, with a conviction that the next wave of change was Cognitive Analytics (AI). We named our company Cognira—short for Cognitive Retail Analytics—signifying our commitment to leveraging AI to revolutionize retail analytics. This wasn’t just a bet on technology; it was a vision for how retail operations and decision-making would evolve. These waves didn’t just represent technological advancements; they were harbingers of new opportunities, new ways of thinking, and, ultimately, new industries. Sometimes, these are subtle shifts in consumer behavior or regulatory changes, as Cummings mentioned. Other times, they are monumental technological advancements that redefine industries. The key is to recognize these waves of change early and to have the courage and vision to ride them. In the end, the essence of entrepreneurship lies in the constant search for these opportunities. It’s about being at the right place, at the right time, with the right team—and 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔.

We are thrilled to announce that NeuReality, one of our portfolio companies has been featured in Sifted latest edition of the 100 most-promising European and Israeli DeepTech startups valued under $1bn in 2024! 🚀 This prestigious ranking highlights startups that are revolutionizing the DeepTech landscape, reflecting broader industry trends like the adoption of AI and data-driven tools into venture capital. Key criteria for eligibility included: ✅ Launched in 2017 or later ✅Estimated valuation between $100-999m ✅Fundraised any round in or after 2018 ✅Private and independent ✅Sells software products to other businesses This year's cohort spans 16 countries and 26 cities, supported by over 671 investors, angels, and accelerators. 📈 Dive deeper into the report to understand the evolving DeepTech landscape and see how these startups are driving innovation. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e4rAFU6j #CardumenCapital #AI #DataDriven #Startups #Innovation

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 is essential for 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 to navigate uncertainty and foster 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡. 📈 ➡️ Leveraging data not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances customer satisfaction. ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/et27EnWC Penfriend #growth #data #startups #startup #customers #customersatisfaction #leveragedata #efficiency #leveragingdata #customer #operationalefficiency #leverage

𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐒 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬! 🚀 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 💡 Zintlr – a B2B SaaS platform focused on sales intelligence – has raised ₹7.5 crore in seed funding led by Om Jain. 🤝 Notable investors include JITO Incubation, Motilal Oswal, and Vimal Shah, among others. Zintlr, founded by Ravi Jain, Ujwal K., and Pranay Khariwal, leverages AI to provide buyer intelligence and streamline sales processes. 📈 Their platform helps corporates shorten the sales cycle, boost conversions, and close more deals by offering enterprise-grade tools for niche markets and geographies. 🌍 🛠 kapa.ai has raised $3.2M in seed funding to advance technical AI assistants. 🔧 Founded by Emil Sorensen and Finn Bauer, kapa.ai transforms knowledge bases into reliable AI-powered assistants that deliver instant technical support. 🚀 With clients like Docker and OpenAI, kapa.ai continues to redefine how businesses manage knowledge and improve response quality. 💼 ⚡️ Instant secured $3.4M in seed funding, backed by YCombinator, SV Angel, and technical angels such as James Tamplin, Paul Graham, and Jeff Dean. 🛠 Founded by Berkay Adlim, Stepan Parunashvili, and Joe Averbukh, Instant offers real-time and offline-enabled application development tools similar to Firebase, making it easier to build collaborative apps. 📱 📊 Reducto, an AI-driven startup, raised $8.4M in seed funding led by First Round Capital. 🚀 Founded by Adit Abraham and Raunak Chowdhuri, Reducto simplifies the process of converting unstructured data from PDFs and spreadsheets into structured formats for AI models to process efficiently. 📄 Their innovative API enables seamless data extraction, helping businesses automate complex workflows. 🔍 🤖 Artisan, the AI-powered sales platform, announced $11.5M in seed funding. 🛠 Founded by Jaspar Carmichael-Jack and Sam Stallings, Artisan’s AI assistant Ava automates lead generation, email outreach, and more, already serving over 120 companies. 📧 The seed round was led by Oliver Jung with participation from Y Combinator, HubSpot Ventures, and Day One Ventures. 💼 📈 Vector, a Y Combinator-backed company, raised $2.6M to enhance its lead generation platform. 🔍 Their proprietary SiteID technology identifies anonymous visitors and transforms them into actionable data, sent directly to Slack for real-time engagement. 📊 This funding will help Vector scale its platform and build new features that empower businesses to connect with high-potential leads. 💡 🧠 OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking AI innovations, has secured $6.6B in funding, boosting its leadership in AI research and compute capabilities. 🏢 Major investors include Microsoft, Thrive Capital, and Khosla Ventures, with additional participation from NVIDIA. 🔥 This significant funding positions OpenAI to continue pushing the boundaries of AI development. 🤖 #SaaSFunding #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #SaaSGrowth #TechInvesting #SaaSStartups #SeriesAFunding #SaaSInvestors