The World Economic Forum has announced the 2024 cohort of Technology Pioneers, a select group of 100 leading tech start-ups that are focused on applying new breakthroughs in AI to develop clean energy solutions. The other areas of focus tor them are healthcare innovation and progress in biotech, space and neurotechnology. These companies will contribute cutting-edge insights and expertise to the Forum’s global initiatives over the next two years and help scale their impact.

 

Motivated by recent breakthroughs in the field, this year’s cohort is harnessing AI and data to drive sustainability and more equitable decision-making in industries and governments. In today’s dynamic landscape of rapid technological development, the Technology Pioneers community exemplifies the transformative potential and entrepreneurial spirit essential for shaping a better future.

 

"The 2024 Technology Pioneers are revolutionising industries on a global scale," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities, World Economic Forum. “These innovators are leveraging the most advanced technologies to drive the radical changes needed to confront the world's most urgent challenges. We are excited to see how their groundbreaking work will enrich Forum initiatives and how they will contribute to building dynamic partnerships between the public and private sectors to solve these critical global issues."

 

Woman chief executive

This year’s Technology Pioneers cohort includes start-ups from 23 countries, with a third led by a woman chief executive. With a record number of applications, the focus this year is on companies with technology that made significant breakthroughs and are now on explosive growth trajectories. These include nuclear fusion, biotechnology, quantum and AI. Here are some of the strongest examples:

 

Space

The space industry is estimated to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023, according to findings in a recent Forum report, Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth. Nine space companies are represented in the 2024 cohort, including satellite makers, in-space manufacturers and space data companies, reflecting the excitement and promise of this growing sector. Companies include Amini, constellr, Pixxel, Space Forge, SWISSto12, TelePIX, Tenchijin, and UNIO Enterprise.

 

Neurotechnology

Neurotechnology is another area of rapid innovation, with more than $8 billion in venture capital investment to date in and growing ($1.4 billion was raised by neurotech companies in 2023, double the amount raised in 2022, according to Pitchbook article). Four neurotechnology start-ups are in this year’s cohort – BrainQ Technologies, Neurable, OpenBCI and NextSense, which will engage with the AI Governance Alliance.

 

Clean Technology

In clean technology, the 2024 cohort is represented by both established and emerging technologies including companies pioneering carbon capture, regenerative agriculture, alternative proteins, nuclear fusion as well as carbon-negative and circular materials. These companies have achieved or are close to achieving success in their pilot phases and are scaling in the next year. Start-ups selected include Amperehour Solar, Botree Cycling, Brimstone Energy, Capture, Carbon Upcycling Technologies, DePoly, Dioxycle, Fourth Power, Heirloom Carbon, International Battery Company, Made of Air, Marvel Fusion, Proxima Fusion and Thea Energy.

 

The 2024 cohort will be invited to join Forum meetings and discussions throughout the year, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector. The first meeting will be the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2024, which takes place in Dalian, China, 25-27 June.

 

Those selected from Middle East and North Africa

*Aim Security (Israel), providing guardrails for secure and safe use of large language models (LLMs).

*BrainQ (Israel), developing precision neurology therapies using brain-computer interface technology, designed to target damaged neuronal networks and facilitate neuro-recovery.

*Enzymit (Israel), leveraging advanced AI to engineer novel enzymes creating a cell-free platform that facilitates the sustainable and efficient production of valuable chemicals.

*Imagindairy (Israel), using proprietary AI models and precision fermentation to efficiently produce sustainable and affordable animal-free dairy proteins.

*Khazna (Egypt), building the Workforce Bank for the underserved across the Middle East, starting with Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

*Wanda Fish (Israel), producing fish fillets by isolating fish cells and growing them in a controlled environment.--TradeArabia News Service