We’re partnering with Startup Grind to launch our inaugural Mayfield | Divot AI List—recognizing 100 emerging leaders – the builders, founders, researchers, policy makers, and communicators who are shaping AI’s future.
Innovation thrives in unexpected corners. While the headlines celebrate the same handful of CEOs and billion-dollar companies, we’re championing the unsung heroes. These are the individuals who are doing the hard work behind the scenes and deserve the spotlight.
In 1992, I landed on Stanford University‘s campus from India without a network or roadmap for surviving in America. I never would have made it without a fellowship from a generous donor and mentors who gave me the benefit of the doubt. Someone saw potential in a kid who didn’t fit the mold and decided to invest in that potential.
That experience shaped one of Mayfield‘s core beliefs: “It’s often the founders who don’t come out of central casting that have the grit necessary to succeed against seemingly insurmountable odds.”
Over 30 years of building companies and early-stage investing, I’ve learned that the next generation of AI leaders will look very different from the last generation. And that’s exactly what we need in the Collaborative Intelligence era.
The AI revolution is happening right now, and it’s being built by people you’ve probably never heard of. These people deserve recognition. That’s why we designed the Mayfield | Divot AI List as the great equalizer. No matter where you went to school, who you know, or how much funding you’ve raised – if you’re doing outstanding early-stage work in AI, we want to spotlight you.
Since 2020, Mayfield has pledged 1% of our management fee and carry every year to support underrepresented communities and break down barriers in health, hunger, education, and entrepreneurship. We partner with organizations like UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC Santa Cruz, and Illumyn Impact to create pathways for AI founders, student interns, and future board leaders.
The Mayfield | Divot AI List continues that mission. It’s our way of investing in relationships and recognizing the rising stars in AI and I’m excited to partner with Derek Andersen and the Startup Grind and Divot teams on this.
If you or someone you know is shaping AI’s future, we want to hear from you. We’re looking for individuals who are building or doing early-stage work in AI and represent fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and different disciplines. Whether it’s a researcher training new models, a founder rethinking the future of work, or a policy leader safeguarding innovation – this is the moment to highlight them and amplify the impact they’re making in the future of AI.
Nominate now → mayfield.ai/ai-list
