More startups are hitting $10M ARR in 3 months than ever before | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Julie Bort

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

TechCrunch reports that AI-driven startups are achieving unprecedented growth, with many hitting $10 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within just three months. This phenomenon is supported by Stripe’s latest data, which reveals a significant surge in new businesses reaching such milestones faster than ever before. While rapid scaling isn’t a guarantee of long-term success, the ability to grow quickly while maintaining low customer churn rates has become a key indicator for investors. Stripe’s 2025 cohort of startups showed a 50% faster growth rate compared to 2024, with over half of these businesses operating outside the U.S. The payments giant also noted that double the number of startups achieved $10 million ARR within three months in 2025 versus 2024. Additionally, Stripe Atlas reported a 41% increase in company formations last year, with 20% of new startups charging their first customer within 30 days—a stark contrast to just 8% in 2020. This trend reflects the growing influence of AI and automation tools, which are enabling founders to scale faster and more efficiently.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/24/2026