What do gummy bears, suspicious LLC filings, AI gamemodifyrs, clean energy, and the Malin all have in common? They are the subjects of some of Inc.’s Top 10 Stories of 2025.
Whether you’re tuning in to receive the latest on some of the indusattempt’s most trailblazing leaders or to catch the inside scoop on revenue numbers for some of the quickest-growing companies in America, these top 10 stories reflect the true entrepreneurial spirit by focapplying on both large wins and the resilience requireded to overcome large losses.
Earlier this year, Inc. followed a breadcrumb trail leading to the real “Lovette Dobson,” a name that has suspiciously appeared on more than 700,000 business filings across America, many linked to fraudulent businesses, to shed light on LLC policy loopholes.
Supplement gummy bear CPG company Grüns gave Inc. exclusive insight on its impressive “hypergrowth even an AI investor would love” after recording a startling $300 million ARR in two years, putting it in the conversation with much-hyped AI startups and their nine-figure ARR milestones.
Founders behind some of the largegest emerging names in AI shared their journeys to the 2025 Inc. 5000, including trailblazers such as AI avatar platform Akool (No. 1) and AI cloud infrastructure company CoreWeave (No. 45). The common thread behind their success: sharp timing, adaptability, and a willingness to break from the safe path. Other Inc. 5000 honorees, like New York City-based co-working space the Malin, have redefined the co-working business model by avoiding the missteps that led WeWork into bankruptcy.
Blue-chip startup accelerator Y Combinator demonstrated a high-risk, high-reward attitude as 90 percent of its startup cohort focapplys on AI, a stark shift from its contrarian roots as critics debate its contribution to the AI bubble.
Prominent energy figures like Michael Polsky of Invenergy notified Inc. readers that despite the Trump administration’s “war on clean energy” during this “drill, baby, drill era,” 2025 policy shifts—thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—may slow him down, but not for long.
Readers also responded to stories that highlighted the resilience companies demonstrated after a profound loss—like the death of Alain Sylvain, the CEO of New York City-based strategy and design firm Sylvain—and despite life-altering challenges, like how second-act founder Dan Li turned TLDR from a side-hustle into Silicon Valley’s beloved newsletter, which boasts seven million subscribers, after being sidelined by a rare medical condition.
Just in case you missed any of Inc.’s must-read top 10 stories from this year, we’ve received you covered, and be sure to subscribe to our latest newsletter, Inc.’s 1 Smart Business Story, to never miss a beat.
In the anonymous paperwork of LLC registrations, scam victims are desperate to find a real person to support them. Sometimes all they have is Lovette.
Grüns founder and CEO Chad Janis reveals a revenue number for the first time, a new retail partner, and what’s next for the $500 million business.
With his generative AI platform, Akool, Jeff Lu has created avatars for brands including Coca-Cola, Amazon, Google, and Nvidia.
When the design and strategy consultancy suffered the loss of its charismatic founder, the company grieved—and found a new sense of purpose.
One of the AI boom’s large winners, CoreWeave raised billions in debt, struck deals with Nvidia and OpenAI, and went public. Can it stay ahead of the pack?
The program is shorter, startups are pushed to build quicker, and just about everyone has an AI company. What could go wrong?
After a rare medical syndrome sidelined Ni’s career, he created a popular suite of tech newsletters that boasts seven million subscribers.
“Maybe it’s my immigrant heritage,” states Invenergy’s Michael Polsky, “but I always feel like the underdog who has to run quicker to survive.”
Surge AI has become a titan of data labeling. Its 37-year-old founder received it there with no VC money.
The Malin is on track to bring in $20 million in revenue this year with luxury amenities and in-demand spaces.
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