Scale AI — “digital labourers” for neural networks

Scale AI has become the backbone of the machine‑learning training industry. The company performs data labeling. Thousands of specialists and algorithms prepare images and texts so that neural networks can identify traffic lights in photos or detect sarcasm in text.

Why is it profitable? Without high‑quality data, any AI is useless. Scale AI is like a shovel during the gold rush. It works with everyone from OpenAI to the Pentagon. The company is valued at over $13.8 billion, yet 90% of ordinary Internet users have never visited their website.

Vanta — “paper hell” automation

Compliance and security attestation (SOC 2, ISO 27001) used to be a nightmare for startups, taking months and hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawyer fees. Vanta automated that process.

Why is it profitable? No major company will buy software from a startup without security certifications. Vanta delivers turnkey attestation fast and well. It is a classic “barrier to entry” for enterprise customers — and companies are willing to pay to avoid bureaucratic pain.

Invisible Technologies — corporate secret brain

This startup combines automation and highly skilled human labor to solve complex business processes. If a task cannot be fully handled by robots but is too large for in‑house teams, Invisible Technologies is called in. For example, it configures “agent AI” for banks and insurers, where errors can cause multimillion‑dollar losses. The company boasts exceptional EBITDA because it operates as outsourcing 2.0, replacing entire middle management departments within corporations.

Bearing AI — intelligence at ocean scale

Ninety percent of the world’s goods move by sea. Bearing AI has built an AI navigator for cargo ships. The system analyzes real-time weather, currents, and engine status to save fuel.

Why is it profitable? Saving just 3-5% of fuel on a supertanker can equal millions of dollars in savings per year. With new carbon taxes, the software has become essential for logistics giants’ survival. Bearing’s product is virtually unknown outside port terminals and shipowners’ offices.

CarbonCapture — turning air into profit

While politicians argue about climate policy, CarbonCapture builds modular direct‑air‑capture systems. The company’s business model is compelling. It sells carbon credits to businesses that need to offset their carbon footprint.

Why is it profitable? The carbon-offset market is tightly regulated. CarbonCapture’s technology literally converts pollution into money (or into solid building minerals). Its plants look like stacks of shipping containers in the desert, with each module generating profit 24/7.

Altana AI — X‑ray for global trade

Today, a component from an unvetted supplier can cost a company millions in fines. Altana AI has created a global digital map of trade. Its system analyzes billions of customs declarations, waybills, and satellite feeds to map a company and all its subcontractors.

Why is it profitable? Altana sells “peace of mind” to giants like Maersk and to governments. Effectively, it acts as a de facto regulator of global trade flows without owning a single warehouse.

Gantry — quality control for AI

When a company deploys a neural network (for example, a customer service agent), problems emerge: the AI can start “hallucinating,” being rude, or producing outdated answers. Gantry watches machine learning. Its software watches the AI in real time and flags when its outputs start to drift. If the model error rate rises, Gantry raises the alarm.

Why is it profitable? An AI mistake in banking can cost billions.