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 September 2026.
Meta82Social MediaMenlo Park, United States$40.1BLeading social media and technology platform connecting billions of people globally.
ironSource76AdvertisingSan Francisco, United States$505.0MUnity is a leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content, empowering developers across gaming, film, automotive, and architecture.
Decart AI75Frontier AI LabSan Francisco, United States$446.0MFrontier AI lab building real-time world models and an optimization stack for low-latency AI workloads.
Runway Gen series74Generative AINew York, United States$919.5MAI research company building foundational world models and generative video tools.
World Labs73Foundation ModelSan Francisco, United States$2.5BBuilding frontier AI models that perceive, generate, and interact with the 3D world.
Niantic Spatial, Inc.72Artificial IntelligenceSan Francisco, United States$5.0BBuilding 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 571Generative AINew York City, United States$859.5MRunway AI develops generative AI tools for creating videos, images, and multimedia content, focusing on video intelligence and world models.
PixVerse70AI Video GenerationSingapore, Singapore$799.0MAI video creation platform transforming text and images into high-quality videos.
Runway AI70Generative AINew York, United States$358.5MRunway AI is a generative AI research company creating tools for video, image, and multimedia content generation.
Augmedics69HealthcareYishuv, Israel$147.8MAugmedics uses augmented reality to provide surgeons with 'x-ray vision' for spine procedures.
Roblox Studio69GamingSan Mateo, United States$862.7MRoblox Studio is the game engine and development tool for creating and publishing 3D experiences on the Roblox platform.
Sora (OpenAI)68Frontier AI LabSan Francisco, United States$520.0MOpenAI's text-to-video model that generates realistic and imaginative video clips from text prompts.
Ineffable Intelligence66Frontier AI LabLondon, United Kingdom$2.1BAI research lab building a superlearner capable of discovering all knowledge and skills autonomously.
NavVis66Spatial ComputingMunich, Germany$73.2MNavVis 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 Engine65Game EngineCary, United States$2.8BA powerful real-time 3D creation tool for games, film, and more, developed by Epic Games.
Foretellix65AutomotiveTel Aviv, Israel$133.0MVerification and validation platform for mass deployment of autonomous driving systems.
Applied Intuition64Autonomous VehiclesMountain View, United States$1.2BVehicle intelligence platform accelerating the adoption of safe, AI-driven autonomous machines.
Luma AI63Text to VideoSan Francisco, United States$1.8BLuma AI is building multimodal general intelligence that can generate, understand, and operate in the physical world, focusing on video, audio, and language learning.
Xtend63RoboticsTel Aviv, Israel$99.0MXTEND provides human-guided autonomous machine systems for precise maneuvers and actions in any environment.
Epic Games (Unreal Engine)63Game EngineCary, United StatesEpic Games develops Unreal Engine, a powerful real-time 3D creation tool used for games, film, and other industries.
Dynisma Motion Generators63AutomotiveBristol, United Kingdom$63.0MUK-based simulator company supplying driver-in-the-loop (DiL) simulators to F1 teams and automotive manufacturers.
DigiLens62AR VRSunnyvale, United StatesDevelops advanced holographic waveguide technology for augmented reality displays.
Lightwheel62RoboticsSanta Clara, United States$158.0MSimulation-first platform for embodied AI: SimReady assets, synthetic + egocentric human data, evaluation tools for robot foundation models.
- MAManifold AI61World ModelChaoyang, China$200.0M
Manifold AI develops embodied intelligent world models for advanced AI systems.
Cognata613D ModelingTel Aviv, Israel$23.5MProvides a realistic automotive simulation platform for autonomous vehicle development.
AetherFlux61Quantum ComputingPalo Alto, United States$300.0MAetherFlux is developing a novel quantum computing architecture for complex simulations.
Varjo60XRHelsinki, FinlandVarjo develops and manufactures high-resolution virtual and mixed reality headsets for professional use.
Advanced Machine Intelligence (AMI Labs)59Artificial IntelligenceParis, France$2.4BBuilding foundational world models for AI systems that understand and interact with the physical world
Emesent59RoboticsBrisbane, Australia$52.5MEmesent is an Australian startup specializing in robotics and AI solutions for autonomous navigation and 3D mapping in challenging environments where GPS is unavailable.
Quanscient59Quantum ComputingEspoo, Finland$10.3MCloud and quantum-powered multiphysics simulation platform for faster R&D and product development.
- AMAMI Labs57Industrial AutomationParis, France$1.0B
Developing AI systems that build internal models of physical and digital environments to predict future events and plan actions.
Soomla57MarketingSan Francisco, United States$8.1MA leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content, empowering developers to build games, apps, and experiences across various industries.
Beyeonics Surgical57HealthcareTel Aviv, Israel$47.5MDevelops an augmented reality surgical headset and digital platform for enhanced surgical visualization and navigation.
- ODOdyssey56Foundation ModelUnited Kingdom$310.0M
Developing world models that learn and understand the world like humans, with applications in robotics, gaming, education, and defense.
Tripo3D56AI-Powered 3D ModelingSan Francisco, United States$50.0MAI-powered platform for generating high-quality 3D models from text or images.
XRHealth56HealthcareBoston, United States$26.9MVirtual clinics using XR technology for therapeutic care, integrating clinicians and data analytics.
Rokid56Augmented RealityHangzhou, China$5.6MDeveloper of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) products, including smart AR glasses and related software.
Touch56SemiconductorSan Jose, United States$80.0MTouch develops advanced semiconductor solutions for immersive and interactive experiences.
RealView Imaging56HealthcareYokneam Illit, Israel$25.0MPioneering interactive live holography for medical imaging applications, providing physicians with a unique natural user experience.
Lumus56AR VRNess Ziona, IsraelDevelops augmented reality smart glasses with advanced optical technology.
Schemata56Defense TechSan Francisco, United States$5.0MAI-powered platform for creating photorealistic 3D training simulations from 2D images.
Causal Labs55Foundation ModelSan Francisco, United States$6.0MBuilding safe, steerable physics foundation models for weather understanding, prediction, and shaping.
General Intuition55Artificial IntelligenceSan Francisco, United States$434.0MWorld models for AI spatial reasoning using 2 billion+ gameplay video clips as training data.
Surgical Theater55HealthcareCleveland, United States$9.0MSurgical Theater combines fighter jet flight simulation technology with patient anatomy scans to create 360°-3D virtual reality for surgical planning and navigation.
Hadean55DefenseLondon, United Kingdom$30.0MHadean provides a distributed computing platform for building and scaling complex simulations and virtual worlds.
Airspace Link55Drone TechnologyAnn Arbor, United StatesPlatform for managing drone operations and airspace integration.
Fourier Optics55ComputingPalo Alto, United StatesDevelops free-space optical combiners for AR wearables using proprietary computer-generated elements.
- RERed 655Defense TechOrlando, United States$105.0M
Defense tech startup developing augmented reality training solutions for military and first responders.
Unigine55GamingKaerjeng, Luxembourg$500KA game development company providing real-time 3D visualization and simulation technologies through its proprietary Unigine engine.
Apply Design54Augmented Reality (AR)Tel Aviv, Israel$3.3MCreates exceptional online property listings for realtors and homeowners to sell faster.
SparX54Real EstateTel Aviv, Israel$1.0MRevolutionizing apartment leasing with mixed reality and AI.
Monarcha (YC S25)54Spatial ComputingSan Francisco, United States$500.0MAI-powered geospatial platform turning natural language into spatial analysis and workflows without GIS expertise.
- Appliedintuition54Autonomous Vehicles$100.0M
Simulation and testing platform for autonomous systems, including vehicles and robots.
CogniTeam54IndustrialTel Aviv, Israel$9.8MRobotics and AI startup focused on high-autonomy simulation and intelligent robotics markets.
Take2 AI54EnterpriseNew York, United States$3.0MAI-powered job simulation platform for sales recruiting, vetting candidates for skills and culture fit.
LoopWM53Artificial IntelligenceSan Francisco, USA$63.0MRedefining world simulation with iterative refinement for 100x parameter efficiency.
Matterport53Spatial ComputingSunnyvale, United States$198.0MMatterport provides a spatial data platform that turns physical spaces into immersive 3D digital twins.
VRChat53Social PlatformSan Francisco, United StatesA virtual reality social platform for creating and exploring user-generated worlds and avatars.
ARpalus53Computer VisionTel Aviv, IsraelAI-powered computer vision app for real-time retail shelf data collection and analysis.
Verto52RetailLondon, United Kingdom$1.2MInteractive 3D footwear e-commerce solution using AI to bridge the gap between in-store and online experiences.
About World Models
Frequently asked questions
What are the best World Models in 2026?
Leading World Models tracked by StartupHub.ai include Meta, ironSource, Decart AI. 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 $67.5B 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.