I’m thrilled to sit down with Milena Traikovich, a seasoned expert in demand generation who has helped countless businesses craft impactful campaigns to attract high-quality leads. With her deep knowledge of analytics, performance optimization, and innovative strategies, Milena offers a unique perspective on the intersection of emerging technologies and business growth. Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of the “Next Billion-Dollar Startups 2025” list, exploring the trends shaping the future, the dominance of AI in the startup ecosystem, and the groundbreaking work of specific companies poised to redefine their industries.
What inspired the creation of a list like the “Next Billion-Dollar Startups 2025,” and why do you think it’s important to spotlight these emerging companies?
I think the inspiration behind such a list comes from a desire to identify and celebrate the innovators who are solving real-world problems with bold, scalable ideas. It’s about shining a light on ventures that have the potential to not just succeed, but to transform industries and impact millions of lives. Highlighting these startups is crucial because it gives investors, entrepreneurs, and the public a glimpse into the future of business and technology, while also inspiring others to think big and take risks.
How does a selection process for picking these top startups work, and what makes a company stand out in such a competitive field?
The selection process often involves a mix of rigorous data analysis and expert intuition. You’re looking at factors like market opportunity, the strength of the founding team, revenue growth, and the uniqueness of their solution. What makes a company stand out is their ability to address a pressing need in a way that’s both innovative and scalable. It’s also about traction—whether they’ve secured significant funding or early customer wins that validate their vision.
With AI being such a dominant force in 20 of the 25 startups on this list, what do you believe is fueling this intense focus on artificial intelligence right now?
AI’s dominance comes down to its unparalleled ability to solve complex problems at scale. We’re at a point where the technology has matured enough to be applied across industries—whether it’s healthcare, finance, or space tech. The explosion of data, combined with advancements in computing power, has made AI a go-to tool for efficiency and innovation. Plus, investors see AI as a safe bet for high returns given its transformative potential, which further fuels the trend.
Beyond AI, were there any other surprising or noteworthy trends that emerged while exploring these startups?
Absolutely, there’s a growing emphasis on niche applications and vertical-specific solutions. For instance, some startups are focusing on very specific pain points—like standardizing satellite production or extending pet longevity. There’s also a trend toward automation in traditionally human-heavy processes, such as accounting or architectural design, which shows how technology is reshaping even the most established fields.
Looking at the track record, with over half of past selections becoming unicorns, what do you think contributes to such a high success rate in identifying future billion-dollar companies?
I believe it’s a combination of deep industry knowledge and a focus on fundamentals. When you’re evaluating startups, you’re not just looking at hype—you’re assessing whether they have a clear path to profitability, a defensible market position, and a team that can execute. A high success rate also reflects the ability to spot trends early, like the rise of AI or fintech, and back companies that are positioned to lead those waves.
Let’s talk about a specific startup, AcuityMD, which helps medical device makers connect with the right physicians. How do you see their use of de-identified patient data creating value in the healthcare space?
AcuityMD’s approach is fascinating because it leverages de-identified patient data to create highly targeted marketing strategies for medical device companies. By analyzing surgical histories and referral patterns, they can pinpoint physicians who are most likely to need specific tools or treatments for their patients. This not only streamlines the sales process but also ensures that innovative medical solutions reach the right hands faster, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Another standout is Apex, with their focus on standardizing satellites. Why do you think this mass-production approach could be a game-changer for the space industry?
Apex’s model is revolutionary because it tackles one of the biggest barriers in the space industry—cost and time. By standardizing satellite design, they’re essentially bringing a manufacturing mindset to a field that’s historically been bespoke and prohibitively expensive. This could democratize access to space tech, allowing more companies and even governments to deploy satellites for communication, research, or defense without breaking the bank.
Assort Health is using AI to reduce patient wait times in healthcare settings. Can you explain how their technology makes a difference in such a critical area?
Assort Health’s AI chatbot is a game-changer for overwhelmed medical offices. It integrates with physicians’ calendars to match appointment needs with available slots in real time, cutting down on the frustrating hold times patients often face. For medical groups, this means fewer missed calls and happier patients, while staff can focus on more complex tasks. It’s a perfect example of how AI can solve everyday pain points with elegance and efficiency.
Basis offers AI software for accounting, promising big time savings. How do you see this kind of technology reshaping traditional industries like finance?
Basis is a prime example of how AI can take over repetitive, time-intensive tasks like data entry from receipts or reconciling accounts. For firms, this translates to faster turnaround times and the ability to focus on higher-value work like strategic advising. It’s reshaping finance by making processes leaner and allowing professionals to shift from number-crunching to decision-making, which is where the real value lies.
Finally, what is your forecast for the role of AI in shaping the startup landscape over the next decade?
I see AI continuing to be the backbone of innovation in the startup world, but with a shift toward more specialized applications. We’ll move beyond general-purpose tools to highly tailored solutions that address specific industry challenges. I also expect AI to drive new business models—think subscription-based AI services or AI-as-a-service platforms. The key will be balancing innovation with ethical considerations like data privacy and bias, which will shape how far and fast AI can scale in this space.
