Top 5 Ann Arbor Startups to Watch in 2026
Ann Arbor's startup scene is defined by its strength in deep technology sectors like autonomous vehicles and life sciences. Companies here are attracting significant investment, building on the city's research and academic foundations.
For example, autonomous vehicle company May Mobility has raised over $300 million. Other major players include cybersecurity firm Censys and virtual clinic Workit Health, both securing more than $100 million in funding.
Below is our list of 5 Ann Arbor startups worth keeping an eye on.
Failory's Top 5 Picks
May Mobility develops autonomous driving technology to power self-driving shuttle services. Their systems aim to transform public transportation by creating more accessible and efficient transit options for communities.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Alisyn Malek, Edwin Olson, Steve Vozar |
| Funding Amount | $309.6M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Corporate Round |
| Top Investors | Y Combinator, SV Angel, Liquid 2 Ventures, Toyota Motor, Palm Drive Capital |
Censys builds an internet intelligence platform for threat hunting and exposure management. Their technology gives security professionals the data needed to map their entire internet footprint and neutralize potential attacks.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Alex Halderman, Brian Kelly, David Adrian, David Corcoran, Zakir Durumeric |
| Funding Amount | $128.1M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series C |
| Top Investors | Mango Capital, GV, Intel Capital, Greylock, Decibel Partners |
They run a virtual-first clinic providing evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. Their service combines medication with online therapy to help patients through recovery from the privacy of their own home.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Lisa McLaughlin, Robin McIntosh |
| Funding Amount | $138.5M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Grant |
| Top Investors | National Science Foundation, Insight Partners, Endeavor Catalyst, Lux Capital, Bossa Invest |
ADASTEC develops an SAE Level-4 automated driving platform for commercial vehicles, with a focus on full-size electric buses. Their software helps public transit operators deploy automated, connected, and fixed-route transportation services.
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Founders | Ali Peker, Atalay Taskoparan, Dr. Kerem Par, Kamil Guclu, Murat Emre Duman |
| Funding Amount | $9.8M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Maxis, APY Ventures, Red Cedar Ventures, National Park Service, Technology & Innovation Fund |
Akadeum Life Sciences develops bioseparation products to facilitate the removal of target cells from biological samples. Their technology uses buoyant microbubbles to gently capture and remove cells, which simplifies the sample preparation process for researchers.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Brandon McNaughton, John Younger |
| Funding Amount | $41.5M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Agilent Technologies, Arboretum Ventures, Genoa Ventures, Invest Detroit, Beringea |
