Best World Models (2026)
Teaching AI how the world works. Discover the startups building world models, the spatial and physical understanding that powers robotics, simulation, and embodied AI.
Top 60 World Models, ranked
Ranked by disclosed funding, growth signals and traction. Updated November 2026.
Meta4.0 out of 5 (2)Founded 2004Leading social media and technology platform connecting billions of people globally.
Decart AI3.0 out of 5 (3)Founded 20236 reviewsFrontier AI lab building real-time world models and an optimization stack for low-latency AI workloads.
ironSource3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 20115 reviewsUnity is a leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content, empowering developers across gaming, film, automotive, and architecture.
Runway Gen seriesNot ratedFounded 2018AI research company building foundational world models and generative video tools.
World Labs3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2024World Labs is a leading spatial intelligence company building frontier models that can perceive, generate, reason, and interact with the 3D world.
Niantic Spatial, Inc.Not ratedFounded 20256 reviewsBuilding a persistent, real-world 3D map powered by AI and user-generated data from AR games, supporting enterprise customers in robotics, defense, and utilities.
runway gen 53.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2018Runway AI develops generative AI tools for creating videos, images, and multimedia content, focusing on video intelligence and world models.
Runway AINot ratedFounded 2018Runway AI is a generative AI research company creating tools for video, image, and multimedia content generation.
PixVerse5.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 20236 reviewsAI video creation platform transforming text and images into high-quality videos.
Kyutai4.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2023A non-profit AI research lab focused on open science and developing advanced multimodal and voice AI models.
Roblox StudioNot ratedFounded 2006Roblox Studio is the game engine and development tool for creating and publishing 3D experiences on the Roblox platform.
AugmedicsNot ratedFounded 2014Augmedics uses augmented reality to provide surgeons with 'x-ray vision' for spine procedures.
Sora (OpenAI)Not ratedFounded 2024OpenAI's text-to-video model that generates realistic and imaginative video clips from text prompts.
ForetellixNot ratedFounded 2018Verification and validation platform for mass deployment of autonomous driving systems.
Ineffable Intelligence4.0 out of 5 (2)Founded 20226 reviewsAI research lab building a superlearner capable of discovering all knowledge and skills autonomously.
NavVisNot ratedFounded 2013NavVis provides a spatial twin platform for the built world, offering reality capture solutions and a browser-based SaaS platform for managing and utilizing spatial data.
Unreal EngineNot ratedFounded 1998A powerful real-time 3D creation tool for games, film, and more, developed by Epic Games.
Xtend3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2018XTEND provides human-guided autonomous machine systems for precise maneuvers and actions in any environment.
Applied IntuitionNot ratedFounded 2017Vehicle intelligence platform accelerating the adoption of safe, AI-driven autonomous machines.
Luma AI3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2021Luma AI is building multimodal general intelligence that can generate, understand, and operate in the physical world, focusing on video, audio, and language learning.
Dynisma Motion GeneratorsNot ratedFounded 2019UK-based simulator company supplying driver-in-the-loop (DiL) simulators to F1 teams and automotive manufacturers.
Epic Games (Unreal Engine)Not ratedFounded 1991Epic Games develops Unreal Engine, a powerful real-time 3D creation tool used for games, film, and other industries.
DigiLensNot ratedFounded 2003Develops advanced holographic waveguide technology for augmented reality displays.
CognataNot ratedFounded 2016Provides a realistic automotive simulation platform for autonomous vehicle development.
- MAManifold AINot ratedFounded 2022
Manifold AI develops embodied intelligent world models for advanced AI systems.
AetherFluxNot ratedFounded 2022AetherFlux is developing a novel quantum computing architecture for complex simulations.
EmesentNot ratedFounded 2018Emesent is an Australian startup specializing in robotics and AI solutions for autonomous navigation and 3D mapping in challenging environments where GPS is unavailable.
QuanscientNot ratedFounded 2021Cloud and quantum-powered multiphysics simulation platform for faster R&D and product development.
DatoricNot ratedFounded 2026Datoric provides private, custom AI training data pipelines for frontier AI labs, focusing on secure and trustworthy infrastructure for advanced AI models.
Advanced Machine Intelligence (AMI Labs)5.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2023Building foundational world models for AI systems that understand and interact with the physical world
- AMAMI LabsNot ratedFounded 2023
Developing AI systems that build internal models of physical and digital environments to predict future events and plan actions.
Beyeonics SurgicalNot ratedFounded 2018Develops an augmented reality surgical headset and digital platform for enhanced surgical visualization and navigation.
SoomlaNot ratedFounded 20126 reviewsA leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content, empowering developers to build games, apps, and experiences across various industries.
- ODOdysseyNot ratedFounded 2023
Developing world models that learn and understand the world like humans, with applications in robotics, gaming, education, and defense.
Tripo3D3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2023AI-powered platform for generating high-quality 3D models from text or images.
XRHealthNot ratedFounded 2016Virtual clinics using XR technology for therapeutic care, integrating clinicians and data analytics.
RokidNot ratedFounded 2014Developer of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) products, including smart AR glasses and related software.
Touch3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2022Touch develops advanced semiconductor solutions for immersive and interactive experiences.
RealView Imaging3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 20086 reviewsPioneering interactive live holography for medical imaging applications, providing physicians with a unique natural user experience.
SchemataNot ratedFounded 2022AI-powered platform for creating photorealistic 3D training simulations from 2D images.
Causal Labs5.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2023Building safe, steerable physics foundation models for weather understanding, prediction, and shaping.
General IntuitionNot ratedFounded 2025World models for AI spatial reasoning using 2 billion+ gameplay video clips as training data.
Fourier OpticsNot ratedFounded 2020Develops free-space optical combiners for AR wearables using proprietary computer-generated elements.
HadeanNot ratedFounded 2017Hadean provides a distributed computing platform for building and scaling complex simulations and virtual worlds.
- RERed 6Not ratedFounded 2017
Defense tech startup developing augmented reality training solutions for military and first responders.
Surgical TheaterNot ratedFounded 2010Surgical Theater combines fighter jet flight simulation technology with patient anatomy scans to create 360°-3D virtual reality for surgical planning and navigation.
Airspace LinkNot ratedFounded 2018Platform for managing drone operations and airspace integration.
Actiview.ioNot ratedFounded 2009ActiView is an HR Tech company using virtual simulations and gamified tests for recruitment and talent development.
UnigineNot ratedFounded 2001A game development company providing real-time 3D visualization and simulation technologies through its proprietary Unigine engine.
LightwheelNot ratedFounded 2022Simulation-first platform for embodied AI: SimReady assets, synthetic + egocentric human data, evaluation tools for robot foundation models.
SparXNot ratedFounded 2018Revolutionizing apartment leasing with mixed reality and AI.
Apply DesignNot ratedFounded 2018Creates exceptional online property listings for realtors and homeowners to sell faster.
Monarcha (YC S25)Not ratedFounded 2025AI-powered geospatial platform turning natural language into spatial analysis and workflows without GIS expertise.
- AppliedintuitionNot rated4 reviews
Simulation and testing platform for autonomous systems, including vehicles and robots.
CogniTeamNot ratedFounded 20073 reviewsRobotics and AI startup focused on high-autonomy simulation and intelligent robotics markets.
Take2 AINot ratedFounded 2021AI-powered job simulation platform for sales recruiting, vetting candidates for skills and culture fit.
VarjoNot ratedFounded 2016Varjo develops and manufactures high-resolution virtual and mixed reality headsets for professional use.
LoopWMNot ratedFounded 2023Redefining world simulation with iterative refinement for 100x parameter efficiency.
Matterport3.0 out of 5 (1)Founded 2011Matterport provides a spatial data platform that turns physical spaces into immersive 3D digital twins.
kausableNot ratedFounded 2025Reasoning-first frontier AI that adapts efficiently to changing context without further retraining.
About World Models
Frequently asked questions
What are the best World Models in 2026?
Leading World Models tracked by StartupHub.ai include Meta, Decart AI, ironSource. We rank 60 companies in this category by disclosed funding, growth signals and market traction, refreshed hourly.
What does this World Models ranking include?
This page ranks the top 60 World Models by funding and traction, representing $61.7B in combined disclosed funding. Each entry links to full funding history, team and product details.
Which of these companies has raised the most funding?
Meta leads the category with $40.1B in disclosed funding.
How is this World Models ranking compiled?
Each company is scored on disclosed funding, team size, growth momentum and profile completeness, then ordered highest first. The list regenerates hourly as new funding rounds, hiring and product launches are detected, so the ranking stays current.

