World Economic Forum Names 100 Technology Pioneers for 2026, AI and Robotics Dominate

The World Economic Forum named its 2026 Technology Pioneers cohort in June, selecting 100 early-stage companies from 23 countries. The group is the 26th cohort in the program's history and the most geographically diverse to date.

Nearly half of the selected companies focus on AI infrastructure, including hardware, power architecture, cooling systems, and storage solutions. The WEF said these companies are building the "plumbing" of the AI economy rather than consumer-facing applications.

Physical AI and robotics make up a significant share of the cohort. Companies like Laminar, which focuses on process-aware manufacturing, RLWRLD, which develops robotic foundation models, Lunar Outpost, which builds space robotics, and Hello Robot, which makes mobile manipulators, represent this category.

India contributed nine companies to the cohort, the most in the program's history for that country. The WEF said India is transitioning from a services-based economy to a frontier technology producer in deep-tech and space innovation. South Korea also achieved its strongest representation to date.

The WEF noted growing startup ecosystems in the Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, reflecting what it called a global diffusion of frontier innovation.

Selected pioneers participate in a two-year program to engage with leaders across business, government, and civil society. Members of the 2026 cohort were invited to the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, held June 23 through 25 in Dalian, China.

The cohort also includes companies working on cancer detection, sustainable materials discovery, and plastic biorecycling.