OPAQUE Systems has secured a coveted spot on CB Insights’ prestigious 2025 AI 100 list, recognized for pioneering advancements in confidential AI technology.
CB Insights recently unveiled its ninth annual AI 100 list, spotlighting the most promising private AI companies making waves globally. Among these innovators, OPAQUE Systems stands out as the industry’s first confidential AI platform, lauded for its exceptional contributions to data privacy and security.
“The AI 100 winners are the architects of the future, leading transformative breakthroughs across industries,” shared Manlio Carrelli, CEO of CB Insights. This year’s list showcases startups pushing AI from nascent concepts to mature technologies, exploring areas like AI agents for complex workflows, security, robotics, multi-agent systems, novel computing methods, and improved data curation.
Revolutionizing Data Privacy with Confidential AI
Aaron Fulkerson, CEO of OPAQUE Systems, emphasized the urgent need for enterprises to protect their proprietary data while leveraging AI. “Organizations must innovate without surrendering control over their data. OPAQUE empowers them to do just that by offering confidential AI solutions that seamlessly integrate privacy and security into agentic workflows,” he explained.
OPAQUE Systems’ platform is uniquely capable of safeguarding sensitive information across the entire data lifecycle — before, during, and after processing — by harnessing the power of confidential computing. This capability is critical as companies scale their AI deployments across industries.
Selection Criteria for the 2025 AI 100
The selected companies were rigorously evaluated based on CB Insights’ proprietary datasets, considering factors like deal activity, industry partnerships, team capabilities, investor backing, employee growth, and Commercial Maturity and Mosaic scores. Analyst briefings submitted directly by startups also played a crucial role in the selection process.
Key Highlights from the 2025 AI 100 Cohort
- 21 companies are focused on AI agent platforms and infrastructure, while 12 specialize in AI observability and governance, and another 12 are innovating in physical AI technologies.
- Startups are deploying AI across diverse fields, including customer service, healthcare, industrials, and financial services.
- Collectively, these companies have raised $11.4 billion in equity funding, with over $2.3 billion secured in 2025 alone.
- Nearly 75% of the honored startups are early-stage, at Series A or earlier.
- 27 startups hail from outside the U.S., representing 13 countries, including dynamic markets such as France and South Korea.
- The cohort has formed over 315 business alliances since 2023, collaborating with giants like NVIDIA, Google, and Uber.
Driving the Future of Confidential AI
As enterprises increasingly seek to balance innovation with security, OPAQUE Systems’ confidential AI platform is setting a new standard in protecting sensitive data. Their success mirrors a broader industry trend toward secure, transparent, and efficient AI solutions, a movement also echoed by others like Nota AI, another innovator recognized by CB Insights in the 2025 cohort.
OPAQUE Systems isn’t just innovating—they’re redefining the future of AI security, ensuring enterprises can harness AI’s full potential without compromising their most valuable asset: their data.
