ChatGPT's Top Gulf Coast Startups

ChatGPT is a popular topic of conversation right now, especially in the venture capital and startup space. Although many have doubted the accuracy of its results, it’s in its early stages. Do you recall how critical the world was with Wikipedia before it became a source of truth?

If you don’t know what ChatGPT is, it’s an artificial intelligence and machine learning tool. In the simplest terms, it’s a super smart chatbot right now. Owned by Microsoft, OpenAI recently rolled out a stable release of ChatGPT in March to much fanfare. The uses and implications of their technology are fascinating and have rubbed a few public figures the wrong way, including Elon Musk and Steven Wozniak, who have signed an open letter against ChatGPT because of its “profound risks to society and humanity.” Although that might be a red herring, it will change industries and the way we do business going forward.

Wherever you fall on the ChatGPT discussion, we thought it’d be a fun exercise to ask what the “best” and “top” startups in the Mississippi River Delta region were. Out of the seven startups that ChatGPT listed for Louisiana, it was nice to learn that Callais Capital’s team had invested in all of them except one. That’s not necessarily a confirmation of future success, but a reminder that we have a good pulse on the local startup communities around us.

Below are the results of our searches. Forgive us if any of these results are wrong.

So, do you agree with ChatGPT’s list below for your state and region?

Gulf Coast

1. Shipwell | Austin: Cloud-based platform for managing freight transportation logistics. Shipwell has raised over $65 million in funding to date and was named one of the top 50 startups in the world by CNBC in 2019.
2. Splice | New Orleans: Cloud-based platform for music production and collaboration. Splice has raised over $100 million in funding to date and has over 4 million users worldwide.
3. Envel | New Orleans: Mobile banking platform that uses artificial intelligence to help users manage their finances. Envel has raised over $4 million in funding to date and was named one of the top 10 fintech startups to watch in 2021 by Built In.
4. Shipt | Birmingham: – Grocery delivery service. The company’s platform enables users to order groceries online and have them delivered to their doorstep within hours.
5. Axiom Space | Houston: World’s first commercial space station. The company plans to offer space tourism and research opportunities to private individuals, companies, and government agencies.
6. Aerobotics | New Orleans: Aerial drone services for agriculture and other industries. The company’s platform uses machine learning algorithms to analyze drone images and provide insights to farmers and other clients.

Louisiana

1. ASAP (Waitr) | Lake Charles: On-demand food delivery platform that connects customers with local restaurants. Waitr has raised over $80 million in funding to date and has expanded to over 500 cities across the United States.
2. Levelset (zlien) | New Orleans: Cloud-based platform for managing mechanics liens and other construction-related payment disputes. zlien has raised over $20 million in funding to date and has helped thousands of contractors and suppliers get paid faster.
3. TurboSquid | New Orleans: 3D modeling and animation marketplace that connects artists with clients in industries such as gaming, film, and architecture. TurboSquid has been in business since 2000 and has become one of the largest online marketplaces for 3D content, with over 800,000 products available for sale.
4. Lucid (acquired by Cint) | New Orleans: Platform for market research and data analytics, allowing companies to gain insights into consumer behavior and preferences. Lucid has raised over $60 million in funding to date and has worked with clients such as Google, Coca-Cola, and Walmart.
5. Scandy | New Orleans: 3D scanning platform for mobile devices, allowing users to create and share high-quality 3D models on their smartphones or tablets. Scandy has raised over $2 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the 3D printing and scanning industry.
6. Advano | New Orleans: Platform for improving the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, helping to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Advano has raised over $18 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the energy storage and sustainability industry.
7. Resilia | New Orleans: Software tools to help non-profit organizations manage their operations more efficiently. The company’s platform includes tools for managing volunteers, fundraising, and program management.

Tennessee

1. HealthStream | Nashville: Platform for healthcare organizations to manage employee training and compliance. HealthStream has been in business since 1990 and has been recognized for its innovation in the healthcare technology industry.
2. Digital Reasoning (acquired by Smarsh) | Franklin: Artificial intelligence and natural language processing solutions for financial services and healthcare organizations. Digital Reasoning has raised over $100 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the AI and NLP industries.
3. Soundstripe | Nashville: Subscription-based music licensing platform for video creators and filmmakers. Soundstripe has been in business since 2016 and has been recognized for its innovation in the music and media industries.
4. Bellhop | Chattanooga: Platform for on-demand moving and storage services, connecting customers with reliable and affordable movers. Bellhops has raised over $50 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the logistics and transportation industry.
5. Skupos | Nashville: Platform that helps convenience stores manage their inventory and sales data in real-time. Skupos has raised over $31 million in funding to date and has over 10,000 stores using its platform.
6. Branch Technology | Chattanooga: 3D printing technology that allows for the creation of large-scale architectural structures using lightweight materials. Branch Technology has raised over $9 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovative approach to construction and design.

Alabama

1. Mixtroz | Birmingham: Platform for event networking, allowing attendees to connect with each other based on shared interests and demographics. Mixtroz has raised over $1 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovative approach to event planning.
2. Fleetio | Birmingham: Platform for managing fleet vehicles, including maintenance, inspections, and fuel tracking. Fleetio has raised over $7 million in funding to date and has over 2,000 customers using its platform.
3. True Load Time | Huntsville: Platform for optimizing the loading and unloading of freight trucks, reducing the amount of time and resources required for transportation. True Load Time has raised over $1 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the logistics industry.
4. TriAltus Bioscience | Huntsville: Platform for protein purification and characterization, helping researchers and biopharmaceutical companies develop new drugs and therapies. TriAltus Bioscience has been in business since 2015 and has been recognized for its innovation in the biotech industry.
5. Simpeo | Mobile: Provides human resources outsourcing services. The company’s platform enables small and medium-sized businesses to outsource HR functions such as payroll, benefits administration, and compliance.

Texas

1. Bumble | Austin: Dating and social networking platform that prioritizes women’s safety and empowerment. Bumble has over 100 million users worldwide and has been recognized for its unique approach to online dating.
2. TaskUs | New Braunfels: Outsourcing and back-office support services to businesses across various industries. TaskUs has raised over $15 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovative approach to business process outsourcing.
3. OJO Labs | Austin: Artificial intelligence platform for the real estate industry, allowing buyers and sellers to receive personalized recommendations and advice. OJO Labs has raised over $70 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the real estate industry.
4. Hypergiant | Austin: Artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for businesses and organizations, helping them automate and optimize various processes. Hypergiant has been recognized for its innovation in the AI industry and has raised over $50 million in funding to date.
5. Apeel Sciences | McAllen: Plant-based coating for fresh produce that extends its shelf life and reduces food waste. Apeel Sciences has been recognized for its innovation in the food and agriculture industry and has raised over $360 million in funding to date.
6. Tachyus | Houston: Analytics platform for the oil and gas industry, helping companies optimize their drilling and production processes. Tachyus has been recognized for its innovation in the energy industry and has raised over $35 million in funding to date.
7. CognitOps | Houston: Artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for warehouse management, helping companies optimize their supply chain operations. CognitOps has been recognized for its innovation in the logistics and supply chain industry.
8. Aceable | Austin: Online education and training courses, primarily for drivers education and real estate licensing. Aceable has raised over $47 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the online education industry.

Arkansas

1. Apptegy | Little Rock: Platform for managing school district communications, allowing administrators to connect with parents and students more efficiently. Apptegy has raised over $11 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the education technology industry.
2. RevUnit | Bentonville: Custom software development services for businesses across various industries. RevUnit has been in business since 2012 and has worked with clients such as Walmart, Microsoft, and Tyson Foods.
3. SupplyPike | Fayetteville: Platform for supply chain management, helping companies optimize their inventory and logistics operations. SupplyPike has raised over $10 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the logistics and supply chain industry.
4. Inuvo | Little Rock: Advertising technology startup that provides a platform for delivering targeted ads to consumers.
5. Metova | Conway: Mobile and web development company that creates custom software solutions for businesses.

Illinois

1. Cameo | Chicago: Platform for personalized video messages from celebrities and influencers. Cameo has been in business since 2017 and has been recognized for its unique approach to celebrity endorsements.
2. ActiveCampaign | Chicago: Customer relationship management (CRM) platform for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to automate their marketing and sales processes. ActiveCampaign has raised over $360 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the marketing technology industry.
3. FourKites | Chicago: Real-time visibility and tracking for supply chain logistics, allowing businesses to optimize their operations and improve customer satisfaction. FourKites has raised over $100 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the logistics technology industry.
4. Tempus | Chicago: Platform for analyzing and managing clinical and genomic data for personalized cancer care. Tempus has raised over $600 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the healthcare technology industry.
5. Tock | Chicago: Restaurant reservation and management platform. The company’s platform allows restaurants to manage reservations, take online orders, and track inventory in real-time. Tock has raised over $30 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative startups in the restaurant industry.
6. Hologram | Chicago: Cellular platform for IoT devices. The company’s platform allows businesses to connect and manage their devices globally with a single SIM card and dashboard. Hologram has raised over $60 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the IoT industry.
7. M1 Finance | Chicago: Digital investment platform. The company’s platform allows users to create custom investment portfolios and automate their investing. M1 Finance has raised over $100 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the fintech industry.
8. BenchPrep | Chicago: Online learning platform that allows businesses and organizations to create and deliver personalized learning experiences for their employees and customers. BenchPrep has raised over $50 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the edtech industry.
9. ShipBob | Chicago: E-commerce fulfillment platform allows businesses to manage their inventory, fulfill orders, and track shipments in real-time. ShipBob has raised over $130 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing startups in the logistics industry.

Kentucky

1. Appriss | Louisville: Data and analytics solutions for public safety and healthcare organizations. Appriss has been in business since 1994 and has been recognized for its innovative approach to data management.
2. SkuVault | Louisville: Cloud-based inventory management system for ecommerce businesses, allowing them to track and optimize their inventory across multiple channels. SkuVault has been in business since 2011 and has been recognized for its innovation in the ecommerce technology industry.
3. Switcher Studio | Louisville: Live video production software for content creators and businesses. The company’s platform allows users to create professional-quality live streams using just their smartphones and tablets. Switcher Studio has raised over $2 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the video production industry.
4. CafePress | Louisville: E-commerce company that allows users to create and sell custom merchandise online.
5. Waystar (Zirmed) | Louisville: Healthcare technology company that provides revenue cycle management and electronic health record solutions to healthcare providers.

Missouri

1. C2FO | Kansas City: Platform for businesses to improve their cash flow by accessing working capital from a network of investors. C2FO has raised over $500 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the fintech industry.
2. Benson Hill | St. Louis: Platform for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the food and agriculture industry through plant genetics and data science. Benson Hill has raised over $200 million in funding to date and has been recognized for its innovation in the agtech industry.
3. Noonlight (SafeTrek) | St. Louis: Personal safety app that allows users to discreetly call for help in emergency situations. SafeTrek has been in business since 2013 and has been recognized for its innovation in the public safety technology industry.
4. Decide (LockerDome) | St. Louis: Online platform for sports and entertainment content. The company’s platform allows users to create and share content related to their favorite teams and athletes. They have raised over $10 million in funding and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the social media industry.
5. PayIt | Kansas City: Fintech startup that provides a digital payment platform for government services and fees.
6. Tallyfy | St. Louis: Workflow automation startup that helps businesses streamline their processes and increase efficiency.