Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has named 14 U.S. startups to its ninth annual Most Fundable Companies list. The winners were chosen from more than 2,100 applicants representing all 50 states, the school announced.
The companies work across healthcare, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, clean energy, transportation, consumer products and advanced technology. They were celebrated at the 2026 Most Fundable Companies Showcase on September 23 at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.
How the Startups Were Judged
Launched in 2018, the program evaluates U.S.-based startups with a method designed to mirror the diligence of angel investors and venture capitalists. Each company is assessed on financial projections, market opportunity, competitive positioning, intellectual property and management team strength.
A panel of investors, venture advisors and Pepperdine faculty reviews submissions over multiple rounds. Craig Everett directs the program and the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project. “These companies have been evaluated against many of the same fundamentals that professional investors consider when assessing opportunities,” he said. Everett added that this year’s winners “have demonstrated the strength of their business models, leadership teams, and potential traction for long-term growth.”
The 2026 Most Fundable Companies
This year’s list includes AcQumen Medical of Minneapolis, Cerebrum Sensor Technologies of Burbank, Data Squared USA of Wilmington and Elysium Therapeutics of Hendersonville, Tennessee. It also names Emerging Technology Ventures of Las Cruces and Enexor Energy of Franklin, Tennessee.
The list also names Modal Motors of Farmington Hills, NeuroQure of Irvine, Notey of Columbia and SetaTech USA of Huntsville. The remaining winners are The 4Jacks Group of Yonkers, The Crease Beast of Los Angeles, Tiny Sprouts Foods of Glenview and Vivifi Medical of Houston. AcQumen Medical, Tiny Sprouts Foods and SetaTech USA were also chosen as Fan Favorites.
A Path to the Startup World Cup
For the first time, the event fully integrated the Startup World Cup Los Angeles Regional competition. All 14 winners competed before a live panel of judges.
Enexor Energy was selected to advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco. There, startups from around the world compete for a $1 million investment prize.
The partnership has produced results before. EarthGrid, a 2022 Most Fundable Companies winner, went on to win the 2024 Startup World Cup Grand Finale World Championship.
Keynote and Media Partners
Pepperdine alumnus Brett M. Johnson, founder and CEO of the family office Benevolent Capital, gave the keynote. “Building a company that is positioned for long-term growth takes more than a great idea,” he said.
The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship sponsored the event again. “By sponsoring the event, we celebrate incredible entrepreneurs and their emerging enterprises,” said Geoff Howard, the foundation’s CEO. It will film another series of “Building the Dream,” featuring select founders, for the Money Confidence Project’s Million Stories platform.
The school notes that the list is not an offer to sell securities. It also does not constitute investment advice or an endorsement of any product or service.
