AI-NATIVE STARTUP

THE RECORD · WITH FACTS

Checked against what runs.

AI-native companies and operators, their claims checked against reality with the receipts attached. 8 on the record, 45 of 60 claims verified.

Base44

7 of 8 claims verified

7 of 8 key claims verified, 1 contradicted (solo-run exit framing). $38M of the $90M earnout already paid as of Q1 2026.

View record

Cognition (Devin)

5 of 7 claims verified

5 of 7 key claims verified; 1 thin (90% internal code, self-reported only); 1 plausible (performance benchmarks, self-reported with partial customer corroboration)

View record

Cursor (Anysphere)

4 of 7 claims verified

5 of 7 key claims verified; 1 plausible; 1 thin. SpaceX acquisition confirmed but not yet closed.

View record

ElevenLabs

7 of 8 claims verified

7 of 8 key claims verified, 1 thin. Primary sources: company blog, TechCrunch, CNBC, U.S. Senate JEC. Minor ARR discrepancy flagged.

View record

Gamma

5 of 6 claims verified

5 of 6 key claims verified; 1 thin (2026 headcount after Series B hiring spree)

View record

Lovable

7 of 8 claims verified

5 of 6 key claims verified against primary sources; 1 ARR figure is analyst estimate; notable security CVE and VAT controversy documented

View record

Midjourney

5 of 9 claims verified

Self-funded status and early profitability verified via primary sourcing. Revenue figures are analyst estimates, not company disclosures. Headcount figures conflict significantly across sources. $10B valuation is a derived estimate, not a disclosed figure. 3 of 8 key claims fully verified, 3 plausible, 1 thin, 1 contradicted.

View record

Perplexity

5 of 7 claims verified

5 of 6 key claims verified, 1 thin (headcount); 2 confirmed legal controversies

View record