Startups are known to change rapidly, adapting to various economic conditions, loan rates, and funding availability. Despite the challenges posed by a weak economy, higher loan rates, and a lack of venture capital funding, many new enterprises are still thriving and growing at a rapid pace. In 2025, some of the fastest-growing businesses in the tech and ecommerce sectors are making waves with their innovative products and services.
1. AI Confusion Perplexity, a San Francisco-based company founded in 2022, has experienced a remarkable 7,200% growth in search volumes over the past five years. With 123.6 million monthly website visits and 21.7 million unique visitors, Perplexity's generative AI-powered conversational search engine has captured the attention of users looking for accurate and up-to-date information. With $915 million in Series C funding and 10 million monthly users generating $20 million in annual revenue, Perplexity's AI product has become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
2. ZeroTier Another standout company on the list is ZeroTier, based in LA, California, and founded in 2015. With a 456% increase in search growth over the past five years, ZeroTier offers secure peer-to-peer networks that are encrypted to enhance data security. With 1.5 million monthly website visits and 559,100 unique visitors, ZeroTier has expanded its reach to more than 220 countries and territories, supporting over 2 million active devices. With $15.9 million in Series A funding and an additional $13.5 million investment in June 2024, ZeroTier is poised for further growth and innovation.
3. Deepgram Deepgram, founded in 2015 in San Francisco, California, has seen a phenomenal 2,800% growth in search volumes over the past five years. Specializing in speech recognition and voice AI, Deepgram offers products like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and audio intelligence AI models. With 838,100 monthly website visits and 574,400 unique visitors, Deepgram introduced its latest real-time text-to-speech API, Aura, in March 2024. Serving clients like NASA, Sharpen, and Five9, Deepgram secured $85.9 million in Series B funding to further enhance its capabilities and offerings.
4. Scale AI Based in San Francisco and founded in 2016, Scale AI has experienced a 579% growth in search volumes over the past five years. Specializing in AI applications and high-quality training data, Scale AI provides annotation and labeling services for large datasets to train AI models. With 464,800 monthly website visits and 289,000 unique visitors, Scale AI raised $1 billion in Series F fundraising, bringing its total valuation to $13.8 billion in May 2024. With a focus on digital infrastructure and AI training, Scale AI is well-positioned for continued growth and success.
5. Cradlewise Founded in 2019 in San Francisco, Cradlewise has seen an impressive 9,500% growth in search volumes over the past five years. Offering baby monitor-equipped smart bassinets, Cradlewise tracks sleep patterns and soothes infants when they wake up. With 55,400 monthly website visits and 46,900 unique visitors, Cradlewise generated $8 million in revenue in 2023 after one year of delivery across the US. With $7 million in seed funding, Cradlewise is poised for further expansion and innovation in the baby care industry.
In conclusion, these five startups are leading the way in their respective industries, showcasing remarkable growth and innovation in the face of challenging economic conditions. With a focus on technology, AI, and ecommerce, these companies are setting new standards for success and demonstrating the power of adaptation and resilience in the ever-changing startup landscape. As we look to the future, these startups serve as a reminder of the potential for growth and success that exists in the world of entrepreneurship.