Just did a study on Y Combinator's portfolio to identify the fastest-growing US-based startups as well as categories, based on headcount growth, in 2023.<p><i>Universe of companies</i>: All YC portfolio companies that have raised more than $5m in funding and have more than 10 employees. A total of about 350 companies.<p><i>Fastest growing industries by median headcount growth</i>:<p><pre><code> - Aviation & Aerospace 6.80%
- Medical Device 6.21%
- Biotechnology 5.85%
- Transportation/Trucking 5.40%
- Insurance 4.84%
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<i>Fastest growing categories by median headcount growth</i>:<p><pre><code> - Recruiting 9%
- Supply Chain Management 8.12%
- Productivity Tools 8.05%
- Aerospace 6.83%
- Biotechnology 6.80%
</code></pre>
<i>AI, Data, and Robots</i>: The top startups in the industries above are leveraging AI, data and robots to improve processes in specific industries.<p><i>Top Growth Companies</i>: Deel (global HR and payroll), Epsilon3 (software tools for space and manufacturing), and AssemblyAI (AWS for AI and ML) lead in headcount growth.
Here is the link to the full study <a href="https://goldenpineapple.substack.com/p/y-combinators-elite-high-growth-us" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://goldenpineapple.substack.com/p/y-combinators-elite-h...</a>
Interesting to see trucking among the fastest growing industries. Who are the top companies in that category? I would not be surprised if it is fintech related trucking products.