17 creator-economy startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs

Creator economy startup founders Tiffany Lopinsky (ShopMy), Misbah Uraizee (Nectar Social), and Mikey Shulman (Suno).

Courtesy of ShopMy; Courtesy of Nectar Social; Jimmy Fontaine.

• The creator economy is getting a boost with AI-fueled investments.
• Business Insider asked venture capitalists which creator startups they felt showed promise.
• Here are 17 startups to watch in areas from AI tools to live shopping startups, according to VCs.

The creator economy looks a lot different than its 2022 surge.