Startups may be the best route to big tech roles right now

Larger tech firms have flattened hiring even as funding for AI startups climbs, creating fresh opportunities in smaller companies. Launching a startup or small company can be a calculated gamble, but the innovation pouring out of this sector is astounding. One example: Midjourney, launched on a community model with no investors or venture capital, which at last report had 184 employees and built a low‑cost sound‑based imaging method that is disrupting medical imaging.

A report from Ventureburn AI found nearly 50% of 2025 VC funding targeted AI startups, with global AI funding reaching $202 billion in 2025, up 75% year over year; AI-focused startups grew from 245 to 308 over the year. US Census data show 29.8 million solopreneurs, more than four million in professional, technical, and scientific fields, and about 400,000 in the information sector.

The Small Business Administration estimates roughly 81% of businesses—more than 28 million firms—have no employees, while about 20,000 are large businesses.

United States

ai startups, vc funding, midjourney, medical imaging, sound imaging, solopreneurs, big tech, hiring, us census, small business